Rowland W. Moore

July 7, 1921 - June 27, 2021

Rowland W. Moore of London, Kentucky passed away just ten days before his 100th birthday, which was celebrated the day before he passed. Rowland is survived by one child, Cheryl Christine Moore of London, Kentucky; two siblings, Feryle Lawrence of Gallipolis, Ohio and Barbara Westerfield of London, Kentucky; two grandchildren, Gary R. Wagers & wife Stacy, Michelle Lunsford Lang & husband Bill, all of London, Kentucky; three great-grandchildren, Savannah Morgan Lee Wagers, Ethan Alexander Wagers, Gabriel Liam Samuel Lang. Rowland was blessed with special nephews and nieces. He was blessed with friends, church family and business associates. Rowland was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruby Lee Elam Moore; his parents, Leander and Nora Patton Moore; four brothers, Raleigh Moore, Melvin Moore, Kenneth Moore, Clifford Moore; three sisters, Lois Moore Thomas, Jewell Moore Worley and Golda Moore. Funeral services for Rowland W. Moore will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of House-Rawlings Funeral Home with Donnie Oliver officiating. Burial will follow at the A. R. Dyche Memorial Park in London, Kentucky. Military honors will be provided by the local DAV Chapter 158 of Keavy, Kentucky. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour also at the funeral home. The family has entrusted House-Rawlings Funeral Home with the arrangements. A lot of young business men that have moved into London from Clay County or Pikeville area may not remember all of the civic work my father has done in the 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s for Laurel County. My dad was born at the Overhead Bridge area, the son of Leander and Nora Patton Moore. He attended Helvetia and Carmichael Elementary Schools, Hazel Green and graduated at East Bernstadt High School in 1941. The Superintendent was R. C. Miller, my dad’s first mentor. Teachers, principals, and superintendent can mold students’ future, and R.C. was a good example. He helped my dad believe in himself. Dad got a job next to his home at Laurel Grocery, plus he had a talent as an artist. He began a side job painting pictures and signs for people in the community. About 1941, my dad went into the local Barton’s 5 & 10 store on Main Street and met my mother, Ruby L. Elam. Dad was humorous and he always told everyone that he met a “million-dollar baby” in a five & ten cent store. How true that was! Mother was precious, a good moral and stable woman. They were joined in marriage December 17, 1941. Their bliss was spoiled by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Dad entered the military service of the US Army on July 18, 1942. He was sent to Camp Grant, Illinois for Basic Medical Training, then assigned to Camp Carson, Colorado at Pikes Peak. From there he went to Fitz Simmons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado for specialized medical training, then to Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City, Utah. Next, he went to California (Los Angeles, Pomona, Needles and San Bernardino) for Desert Training. Having activated a new training cadre, he was sent to Texas to train medical personnel from Texas to Camp Shanks, NY and then to England and on to Europe in mid-1944 where he participated in Rhineland Battles, beginning with Belgium “Bulge”. He went from Europe to Virginia and was discharged at Camp Atterbury, Indiana on November 8, 1945. He earned the rank of Staff Sgt. with a classification of “Chief Administrative Specialist” with services in general hospitals, complete army records, writer and executor of general orders in headquarters. While dad was stationed in Pomona, California I was born December 13, 1943, I had been conceived in a visit to Utah. While dad was in the army, he took advantage of all educational classed that counted toward college. He attended the ASTP studying psychology, hospital management, business administration along with his favorite literary favorites. He had learned to love business under Roy Johnson and Leo Watkins at E.B. Dad served in England, France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany during World War II as a platoon leader with a medical collecting company attached to Patton’s 3rd army. While serving in the army, dad wrote for the Stars and Stripes, the American service men’s newspaper. Dad received a special honor award and certificate from Col. Marion Hargrove and was made a member of the Spam Club. Dad’s unit was scheduled for more duty in Japan, but a world-shaking event, occurred while they were at sea. The war was over. Dad was spared. The order changed that they were to proceed now to Hampton Roads, Virgina. Dad had prayed to Jesus, if he would let him see his wife and baby, as they were crossing the English Channel, that he would serve Him the rest of his life. His prayer was answered. Dad was awarded the European Theater of Operations ribbon with Battle Star for Rhineland Battle, and received a good conduct medal before returning home. When Dad arrived home, he had planned to go to medical school, but everyone began asking him to paint a sign for them. The sign business seemed a natural to him as he could see the future of electronics, and the electric signs. He enrolled in Cincinnati Neon School for two years. He was told to open his business in Lexington, but he being hard headed opened it in London. He began to manufacture neon signs, plastic signs, and bill boards in 1949. Dad joined with other good men to start the Rotary Club in London. Russell Dyche agreed to join and dad was so proud as he was one of the highest-ranking men in London. Dyche, another mentor, encouraged dad to do civic work. Dad formed United A.I.D., headed the Laurel County Crippled Children, and the Easter Seal program. He helped sponsor the London Baseball Club. Dad was elected as chair to raise $15,000 and the state would build a swimming pool in Levi Jackson State Park. He sold tickets on a car donated by Cook Brothers. Martin Dyche won the car and donated it back to sell again for money for park project. Dad was elected about this time as a general chairman of the Laurel County Homecoming. The stage at the amphitheater consisted of hanging sheets from tree to tree furnished by J.W. Terry of London Laundry. Dad asked Chaney Lumber, Binder Lumber and London Bucket Co. if they would donate wood and steel to erect a stage. Dad furnished his men to do the work with himself, furnishing his crane, welder, and steel posts to the structure that stand today. One club lady offered when she learned about it to donate, but it was already built. Dad invited Bert Combs to a Sunday singing. He had been at the airport and was to give a speech at the park. It began pouring the rain. Dad said if Mr. Combs wins the election for governor, I promise you he will build a shelter house for us. We won’t have to get wet anymore. He was elected and he called R.C. Miller, the county chairman and said, “Tell Moore to get two bids and I will keep his word to all those people.” Arthur Hibbitts built the structure we see today. Dad said to himself, “How are we doing Russell?” New swimming pool, the stage backdrop, the shelter house, and other improvements. Now, how about a monument erected to honor Russell Dyche, one of Laurel County’s greatest men? I don’t know how dad got time to do all he did to improve himself. He attended U.K., Somerset Community College studying how to operate the small business. The instructors were from U.K. Dad took the Dale Carnegie Institute. He was always using that psychology on me. Dad was an old pro at speeches I’ve heard a lot private and public. Dad was called to a special meeting when he was president of the Rotary Club along with two former presidents Dr. Hendrix and Wayne Reep. They were given a 25-year perfect attendance charter member award. Dad always was faithful in everything he was a member. Dad resigned from the Homecoming in 1961, because he wanted me to be in the beauty contest. I got rid of it by eloping on August 5, 1961. Dad was heartbroken. His dream was gone. He began to realize he wasn’t doing enough for God doing civic work. His last hurrah was co-chair of a East Bernstadt class reunion in 1985. More than 600 attended. He really enjoyed doing the reunion. During all these years daddy read the Bible nightly studying if he had obeyed God’s word, correctly. Anything dad did, he wanted to do well. He knew the Bible better than anyone I have ever met. He was dedicated. Dad paid out of his own pocket for a radio program called “Truth Time” for fifty-five years. 2010 was the last year. I’m sure many people learned the truth from the Bible. He got many letters for the fifty-five years. He was a member of the Church of Christ for sixty-six years. Acts 2:38 was his most quoted section of the New Testament. Dad retired in 1981 to do God’s work full-time free. I’m sure dad kept his promise to God when he was in the war on the English Channel that day. He was the mentor of my life, my two children, and now, three great-grandchildren. I hope their dads will teach them all the wonderful things their great-grandpa has done over the years. I’m very proud of him. All of you old people out there are too, I’m sure, and maybe, the young people will know a few of the things that makes me so proud to call Rowland Moore, my dad.