Walter Glendon “Junior” Moore

November 2, 1925 - July 25, 2020

Junior was born to James Walter and Elta Eudora (Harrison) Moore on November 2, 1925 at the Moore Ranch house in Ophir, Curry County, Oregon. Ophir is located approximately 10 miles north of Gold Beach, Highway 101 runs through the Ranch property there. He grew up with seven siblings, milking cows and attending the small Ophir school through high school. He was class president when he and his fellow seven seniors graduated on May 19, 1944: Class Motto: “If we Rest, we Rust”.

He did not have much time to rest, as he was drafted into the Army, reporting for Active Duty on July 15, 1944. After completing Infantry Basic Training at Ft. Roberts, California, he shipped out for the Philippines on December 14, 1944, arriving on January 18, 1945. While patrolling on the island of Luzon, he was shot through the neck and shoulder on March 22, 1945, earning the Purple Heart Medal. He was also awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Philippine Liberation Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal. After recovering from his wounds, he remained in the Philippines awaiting orders to invade Japan. Upon the surrender, he departed for home July 20, 1946 and was discharged August 24, 1946.

He and Donna Sparhawk met at a dance in Gold Beach. They married on March 8, 1949. They had two children, Jim and Debbie.

Junior had a long career in heavy construction. Clearing right-of-ways for power lines, pipelines, reservoirs, building forest service roads, and other similar projects. From 1951 until retirement in 1991 he worked on over 60 projects in the Pacific Northwest, Montana and Colorado.

During retirement he and Donna traveled the world. Germany, France, England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. They also utilized their Airstream travel trailer to visit Alaska and to “snow-bird” to Arizona numerous winters. Additionally, Michelle recalls he enjoyed taking his grand-daughters out for ice cream, and that he was always ready with a hammer or chainsaw if a friend or family member needed help with a project. Erika remembers that great-grand-daughters Madelyn and Zara lovingly referred to him as Grandpa Ornery! Jessica contributed this absolute truth: “He would never share the Strawberry Jam and wouldn’t stop sharing his Strawberry Jam Joke!!”.

Junior was pre-deceased by six siblings, his wife of sixty-six years, and daughter Debbie. He is survived by his son Jim, sister Eudora, grand-daughters Michelle, Erika and Jessica; great-grand-daughters Madelyn and Zara, along with favorite daughter-in-law Rhonda Robins.

Graveside services and Military Honors will be held on Friday. August 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Rogue River Cemetery in Gold Beach, Oregon.