John Day Moore, 84, passed this earthly existence on Oct. 10, 2023, at home in Winfield, surrounded by his wife, daughters and son-in-law. He was born on April 21, 1939, in Oakman, Alabama, the only beloved child to John (Slim) and Willie Pearl (Bill) Day Moore. He is survived by his wife, Frances Whitson Moore of Winfield, daughters Cindy (Todd) Wakefield of Baton Rouge and Karen (Jeff) Marshall of Alabaster, grandchildren Kamden and Jack Marshall and Jace Wakefield, and sister-in-law Sarah Riley of Winfield. He was preceded in death by his parentsJohn and Willie Pearl Moore.
John was an Elder of the Winfield Church of Christ, served for many years as a trustee at Hubbertville School and retired after 45 years as a lineman from Alabama Power Company. He was also a veteran of the United States Navy, where he served on the USS Saratoga.
John Day Moore loved a good joke. And a bad joke. The worse the better. The “dad jokes” that make you roll your eyes or even sigh in disbelief over how bad they are. He spent countless minutes making up jokes just to test them on his daughters or his friends on Facebook. No one was immune to his sense of humor. Not the wait staff at restaurants, or the friends of his grandkids, or strangers on the street. And the more responses – such as groans or boos - he solicited, the better. His biting sense of humor and sharp wit never wavered. In fact, when the hospice nurse came for the first time to explain the process, she asked if he had any questions. Without skipping a beat, he asked, “What is the capital of Idaho?”
He loved the outdoors. He could tell you the species of any tree, plant or animal, especially birds. He identified several of the largest trees of a particular species throughout Alabama and there are still plaques in parks next to the trees he pointed out. He loved floating down rivers with his good friend Carl Porter. He built swings at the local watering hole in Hubbertville and taught many kids how to swim, then dive and flip off the swing and the diving board in his backyard pool. He was also a talented gymnast and tumbler.
He loved music, particularly Bluegrass. He was a mean dobro player and loved to pick and grin with friends on many a weekend, where he would break into a yodel at any moment.
He loved his friends, his church and especially his family. He was married to his sweetheart, Frances, for more than 54 years. They spent several years after retirement traveling across the country, Canada and the Caribbean. He was a devoted son to his parents, and he was the best dad that two girls could ask for. He doted on his three grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa John.”
Mr. John D. Moore, age 84 of Winfield passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Funeral services for Mr. Moore will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. from the Winfield Church of Christ with burial to follow in the Winfield City Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the church.
Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield, Alabama serving the Moore family.
