Obituary of Richard Rae Moore

On the morning of May 25, 2023, Richard (Dick) Moore passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 86. He was the eldest of three children to Melvin and Elizabeth Moore, he was raised on a wheat farm near Kahlotus, WA. After graduating high school, together with his brother Jim, he attended the University of Idaho to pursue his love of football. With a career ending injury, he returned home to farm full time with his father Melvin and brother Jim. He married his blushing bride Melette in the fall of 1962. Together they have three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Nothing made Dick happier than helping people and seeing the smiles on small children’s faces’ after making up a pretend name for them. He was passionate about, ice cream and would never share, everything farming and was still checking on the family farm operations until the day he passed away. He was the Kahlotus Fire Chief for 50 years, a Benton Franklin Fair board member for 38 years, drove school bus for the Kahlotus School District for over 50 years and was also a Reserve Franklin County Sheriff. In his later years he and Melette would be found cheering from the sidelines or honking the horn from his pickup for his dear grandchildren at their football, basketball, or baseball games. Dick was always ringside encouraging his grand kids at the local county fairs showing their family raised steer projects. Dick is preceded in death by his wife Melette, his parents Melvin & Elizabeth and sister Gerri. He is survived by his three children, L’Rae Hopkins, Melinda (Don) Hentges, Scott (Kim) Moore, brother Jim (Ann) Moore, brother-in-law Bill (Gerri) Baldwin, and brother-in-law Jan Jones. His grandchildren Sommer Boyd, Marlo (Ryan) Bumstead, Mackenze Hopkins, Kassin Hopkins, Nickolas (Gabriela) Hopkins, Tyler Moore, Jenna Moore and great-grand-daughter Alayah Hopkins and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. A fireman procession will begin at the Dick Moore residence at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, to Lakeview Cemetery in Kahlotus, WA. with a public graveside service, followed by a celebration of life at the Kahlotus School Gymnasium. Memorial donations may be made to Fire Protection District #2 (PO Box 497, Kahlotus, WA 99335) or Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association (PO Box 205, Mesa, WA 99343) Arrangements made by Danekas Funeral Home, Ritzville, WA.