Melvin Herbert Moore, age 85, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 27, 2018.
Melvin (Mel) was born on March 2, 1933 to parents Herbert and Dorothy (Dummer) Moore and grew up in Inglewood, California. He was the oldest of six children. After graduating from Inglewood High School, Mel joined the U.S. Air Force where he served in Misawa, Japan, during the Korean War. He was proud of his four years in the Air Force and four years in the reserves. It was during his time in Japan that Mel became a Christian and committed his life to serving the Lord wherever God led him. After his service in the Air Force, he studied at Arizona Bible Institute from 1955 to 1958. While there, he met his future wife, Roena Jackson. They were married on June 1, 1958.
Mel and Roena prepared for serving the Lord as missionaries in Japan, but God redirected their paths. As a pastor he served at Ocotillo Bible Church from 1959 to 1972, Gardena Bible Church from 1972 to 1983, Centinela Bible Church from 1983 to 1989 and finally he spent 24 years at Trinity Bible Church in South Gate, California. During those years, he was also involved on several mission boards as well as being an AWANA Commander and a member of the AWANA advisory committee. After moving to Lynden in 2013 to be closer to family, Mel and Roena attended Trinity Bible Church of Lynden.
He and Roena loved their own three children as well as 13 foster children. They enjoyed taking the family camping at Mammoth Lakes, California. In addition to church and family activities, he served on the Ocotillo volunteer fire department as the assistant fire chief and on the Gardena PTA as well as in several other civic activities.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents; daughters Esther Jean and Melody Ann; granddaughter Katelyn; brothers-in-law David Wing, Art Davison, Leroy Jackson, Fred Bailey and Stanley Jackson; and sister-in-law Mary Jackson.
He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Roena; son David (Sheri) Moore; foster children Howard Stone, Amy (Mike) Ketchum and Josephine (Don) Pavlik; grandchildren Rosalyn Moore, Ruthie Ketchum, Jocelyn, Timothy, Jeffrey, Angelyn and Gregory Moore; siblings Shirley Baker of Grants Pass, Oregon, Doris Davison of Fort Worth, Texas, Robert (Judi) Moore of Whidbey Island, John (Linda) Moore of Fremont, California and Betty Wing of McKinney, Texas; sisters-in-law Christine Bailey of Moscow, Idaho, and Jane Jackson of Pomona, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to Trinity Bible Church of Lynden, c/o 567 Wildrose Circle, Lynden, WA 98264.
Viewing will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, in Gillies Funeral Home followed by the memorial service at approximately 3:15 p.m., also in Gillies. After the service we will head to Monumenta Cemetery, approximately 4 to 4:15 p.m. for brief comments and prayer, then military honors. The open house reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the Bender Fields kitchen shelter (indoor) for food and fellowship.
You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
