Donald Eugene Moore, LTC retired, left this earth to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the age of 78 surrounded by his family at the Huntsville Hospital. Donald was born September 26, 1938 in Winnemucca, Nevada to the late Winifred Eleanor and Joseph Eli Moore. Donald graduated high school in 1956 and received a BS in mathematics from the University of Nevada. Later he earned a MBA (business) from Texas Tech University while in the Army. He accepted a commission as 2nd LT into the US Army, Signal Corps, after graduation. He completed parachute training and helicopter flight school. He served two years in Vietnam (1963-64 and 1967-68) and also served on year of duty in Korea in 1978. During this time, he performed aviation assignments. He flew the Cobra helicopter and also served as a helicopter flight instructor for two years at Ft. Rucker, AL. He received the following awards: The Bronze Star Award for Meritorious Service, Vietnam 1964; Ten plus Air Medals for combat flights in Vietnam, 1964, Army Accommodation Medal for Meritorious Service, Vietnam 1968, and Joint Accommodation Medal for Meritorious Service 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC, 1975. After a successful Army career of 22 years and retirement, Donald accepted the call to North Alabama and the Space Program in January 1991. He was employed at Teledyne Brown Engineering and Engineering Management Concepts which transitioned into the Government Missile Defense Agency, C2 BMC Program Office. He was a key contributor at the MDA. Donald exemplified what it meant to be a husband, father, grandfather, mentor and leader who led by the example of his words and actions. He participated in the Meals on Wheels program for many years. He was a proud supporter of the Auburn University football for 51 years, attending most of the home games. He was an enthusiastic spectator and very involved in all of his grandson BiJan’s activities. He played racquetball and enjoyed gardening. Donald was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the Country Club of Columbus, Columbus, GA for 35 years. Survivors include the love of his life and best friend for 52 wonderful years, Judith Yarbrough Moore; daughter Anita Margaret; grandson, BiJan Spence; BiJan’s father, Ali Moghadam; sisters, Mary Moore Lawrence (Jack) of Santa Rosa, CA, Barbara Moore Timmons (Gene) of San Carlos, CA, Dianne Moore Doss (Paul) of Frankfort, KY, and Winifred Moore Kramer (Dale) of Liberty Lake, WA. He was preceded in death by his son, Donald Spence Moore; sister, Ruth Moore Eliades; and brothers, Joseph Eli Moore and Robert James Moore. A celebration of Donald’s life was held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Saturday, June 10th.
