Curtis Moore

Our most beloved, Curtis Lee Moore, 96, was called home to his heavenly father, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Curtis was born on March 24, 1919, in Bentley, Mississippi, to Lonnie and Lena Streeter Moore. He first was married to Flora Marie Miller, who preceded him in death on March 15, 1974. He then married Clara Mae Uhrhan Dillow on June 5, 1976, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City.

Curtis graduated from Lilbourn High School in 1939. After graduating, he owned a candy business in Sikeston, Missouri. After taking a welding class, he moved to Oakland, California, and worked for Bethlehem Steel as a welder and fitter, building warships.

He was drafted in November 1943 and served until January 1946. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the Navy, attached to the Marines as a medical corpsman. He served in the South Pacific during the battle for Okinawa and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was a member of VFW post 6407 in Scott City. After his years in service, he went back to his candy business in Sikeston and also worked for Hahs Machine Shop. He later moved to Scott City and became a welder and fitter at Missouri Dry Dock in Cape Girardeau. He was promoted to vice president and general manager of Missouri Dry Dock, a job he held for more than 40 years. At the time of his death, he was still a consultant to them. He was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award for significant achievements in promoting inland waterway usage. He was presented this award by the Waterways Journal in 2014, representing all of the inland waterways of the United States.

His loving survivors include his wife of 39 years, Clara Mae; his children from his marriage to Flora Marie Miller, Joyce (Bill) Daniels, Danny (Doris) Moore, John (Mac) Moore and Anne (Tom) Haugen, and his children he raised with Clara Mae, Nelda (Rick) Jordan and Stan Dillow; 11 grandchildren, Paul (Shannon) Daniels, Tim (Marcia) Daniels, Jamie (Cindy) Daniels, Daniel L. Moore II, Donald (Anita) Moore, Dawn Moore, Douglas (Kathy) Moore, Debra (TJ) Halter, David (Becky) Moore, Cassie Thomas and Olivia Jordan; 27 great-grandchildren, Brandon Bryant, Camryn, Blaine, Kurt and Lauren Daniels, Abby, Megan, Cole, Ambrea, Alee, Will, Connor and Raelyn Moore, Brandon and Chelsea Carroll, Carson, Bryson and Colson Ketcher, Katie Taylor, Trey, Trevor, Tyler, Trenton, Tucker and Daelyn Halter, and Allie and Lexi Thomas; one great-great grandchild, Kayden Carroll; a grandson-in-law, Mark Ketcher; one brother, Elliott (Toodie) Moore; and one sister, Norma Jean (Ron) Bray.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, one sister and one granddaughter, Danette Ketcher. The family wishes to thank all who took care of Curtis with such loving compassion and concern: Saint Francis Medical Center third-floor staff, the staff at Landmark Hospital, Caregivers at Chateau Girardeau and most recently the Missouri Veterans Home.

Curtis always was a thoughtful and thankful person and always telling the caregivers how well they were doing and that he loved them for that.

Friends may call on from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City.

Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., with Knights of Columbus Service immediately following.

Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Father John Harth and Father Joe Weidenbenner as concelebrants. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice in Curtis's name.

Online condolences may be made at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.