MOORE, David H. - b. December 3, 1938 - d. December 31, 2012

[patyrn]

David H. Moore, 74, passed from this life to his eternal reward on December 31, 2012 in Iola, Kansas.  He was born in Wichita, Kansas on December 3, 1938 to parents, Richard H. and Annie Elizabeth Moore.

Early childhood and adolescent years were carried out on the family farm east of Haven, Kansas working alongside his father who taught him much of the work ethic, integrity, and self-discipline that would carry him through the life ahead.  David attended Haven High School where he played football, a sport he often credited with building character, toughness, and a sense of camaraderie.  His coach once told him he was "tougher than an old boot", a phrase that often gave him encouragement throughout life.  He also played the saxophone and clarinet in the school band and excelled in academics.  He received "Man of the Year" honors in his senior year, and he graduated in May 1957.

David met his bride-to-be, Myrna Jantz, in the fall of 1959 at a community dance in Hutchinson, Kansas.  He offered her a ride after eavesdropping on a conversation that revealed she didn't have a way to get home.  She said okay, but insisted on JUST A RIDE HOME.  All along the way, he suggested several places to stop and eat and repeatedly got shot down.  Finally his persistence paid off when he asked if she would like to go to Roxy's Pizza.  She was defenseless, and the rest is history.  They were married on March 30, 1981 in Haven, Kansas.  The family often jokes about not being here if not for Myrna's love of Roxy's Pizza.

On Mother's Day morning, May 13, 1932, David and Myrna made the decision that would alter the course of their lives forever when they responded to an altar call and committed their lives to Christ.  Being a new creation in Christ, David immediately began changing his ways as he was given the light to do so.  Some early influences in his Christian development were his parents-in-law, Amos and Hazel Jantz, along with his pastor, Francis Hobbs and H.K. Busby, the Wesleyan District Superintendent.  From these and others in the church, he learned traits of honesty, respect, compassion, and forgiveness of others.

Soon after giving his life to the Lord, David felt the call to preach.  He said he loved people and loved the Lord and wanted to bring the two together.  He entered the pastorate in August of 1963 and touched countless lives in ministry beginning at Lamont, followed by El Dorado, Fowler, Big Bow, Howard, and Iola, all for the Wesleyan denomination in Kansas.  His pastoral ministry concluded at the Carlyle Presbyterian Church in  Carlyle, Kansas where he began in June 2003 and resigned in February 2012 due to declining health.  

David also carried side jobs outside of the church.  He was most often employed by various local school districts as a bus driver.  He also served in the Air National Guard from 1961 to 1967 and worked at Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas while living in El Dorado, Kansas.  In recent years, he worked in special education as a paraprofessional for ANW Co-op at Iola High School and as a bus driver for USD #257 where he retired in May, 2010.

David was incredibly shy and sought for ways to reach people in daily life.  He carried gospel tracts which he left in restaurants, hotels, and restrooms, and he wrote countless notes of thankfulness, praise, or encouragement to many in their time of need.  Most recently, he bought two hats and wore them often.  One reads, "Walk with Jesus.  Jesus loves you." and the other asks, "Would anyone die for you" and answers "Jesus did it". "  He also gave of his time and finances to Freedom Ministries and Voice of the Martyrs, two organizations he cared about deeply.

An avid student of history, David enjoyed learning about the history of war and military leaders, as well as our nation's presidents.  He also enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, playing chess and checkers, watching K.C. Chiefs football and K.U. basketball, eating ice cream, and taking long walks.  He loved telling of hearing a good joke, but his true passion was bonding with the Lord he loved.  He spent much of his time in God's Word and prayer.  Many of his walks were to get alone and talk to God.  They had a beautiful relationship.

His foundation in Christ saw him through the most difficult time of his life.  David was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April 2010.  Perhaps his greats ministry came from his greatest physical weakness as God's grace and sustenance were revealed to many through him.  He was truly an inspiration as he completely surrendered himself and his illness to Christ, his Lord and Saviour.  A scripture that helped carry him is Matthew 26:39 where Jesus prayed "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."  Toward the end of his physical journey, he relied on John 14:27 where Jesus tells us "Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid".  His last discernible words before becoming unresponsive were "Praise the Lord anyway", a phrase he had often repeated throughout his life.

David's definition for success was "finding God's will and doing it."  By this definition, he was truly a successful man.  In his family's view, cancer didn't defeat him, but he was freed from it when God called him home.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard H. and Annie Elizabeth Moore, and leaves behind many he loved and who will always love and remember him, including his beloved wife of nearly fifty two years, Myrna Moore; daughters, Vicky Erth of Olathe, Kansas and Diane Harper and husband, Ervin of Hutchinson, Kansas; sons, David D. Moore and Jason B. Moore, both of Iola, Kansas; fifteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, John Moore and wife, Marguerite of Hutchinson, Kansas; one sister, Ruth Edgington and husband, Paul Brent of Hutchinson, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.  David's desire was that all would realize his brand of success and be reunited with him in Glory.

Cremation has taken place.  A Remembrance Celebration will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Carlyle Presbyterian Church, 29 Covert Street, Carlyle-Iola, Kansas 66749.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given for The Voice of the Martyrs or Freedom Ministries and may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel, 16 N. Buckeye, Iola, Kansas 66749,which is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com

(taken from the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel website)