MOORE, Jack Lavern - d. June 6, 2008

[patyrn]

Jack Lavern Moore, 89, of Colorado Springs, Colorado and formerly of Aiken, South Carolina, died June 6, 2008 from a sudden heart attack.  

A native of Moline, Kansas, Moore enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940 and served in combat submarine operations in Pacific waters throughout World War II.  He completed 12 combat war patrols and was awarded the Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation among other decorations.  Commissioned an Ensign in 1944, he rose steadily through the ranks to become commanding officer of the USS Queenfish (SS 393) in 1956.  He also served four years as Naval Liaison Officer to the Venezuelan Navy.  He retired as a commander in 1970 after 30 years of service.  

After retiring from the Navy and moving to Aiken, SC, he obtained two Master's degrees in Spanish from the University of South Carolina.  He taught Spanish and was a licensed contractor through the early 1990s.

Moore was a contemporary Renaissance man, learning Italian and German and traveling to Costa Rica before he and his wife moved to Colorado Springs in 2005.  

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bettie "Judie" Moore; a son, Patrick Moore, daughter-in law, C.J. Moore, and two grandchildren, Matt Moore and Meighan White; and two great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his son, Mike Moore, in 2002.  He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Jane, Joan, and Shirley, all of California, and beloved nephews and nieces in Kansas and California.

A private memorial will be held this summer in San Diego, California.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting System, 1089 Bannock Street, Denver, CO  80204

(published in the Flint Hills Express 7/9/08)