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Hoye “Dennis” Moore, 88, of Harrisonburg and McLean, Va., died Aug. 23, 2009, at Jupiter Medical Center in Florida.
Dennis was born Dec. 25, 1920, in Lunenburg County, Va., and was a son of the late Edward and Myrtle Moore. He was one of six children.
He is survived by three sons, Robert and wife, Joyce, Lisle, and Craig and his wife, Bert; one sister, Susie Myrtle; and two grandchildren, Robin and Leah.
He was one in a million who was always there to lend a helping hand with family and friends. He grew up on a rural tobacco farm and attended Lynchburg College, where he lettered in baseball and track and graduated in 1942. He soon after enlisted in the Navy. He spent time in the South Pacific during World War II and participated in battles at Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. From 1947 to 1950, he was appointed to President Truman as a White House Aide. During his appointment, he was the Officer in Charge of “The Little White House” in Key West, Fla., and “Camp Shangri La” (also known as Camp David). He was also the Presidential Mess Officer aboard the USS Williamsburg. He was responsible for tasting the food before it was served to President Truman. On several occasions, he was invited to join President Truman and his wife for dinner and escorted their daughter, Margaret, to some social events.
In 1952, he married Sara Elizabeth Wolfe. They soon moved from Norfolk, Va., to Arlington, Va., where he continued to work at the Navy Department until he retired in 1965 as a Commander. He worked briefly in the private sector for EG&G. He then worked for the Department of Agriculture until he retired in 1986. He moved his family to McLean, Va., in 1969.
He was also an entrepreneur. He had several businesses that ranged from service stations to a small motel in Williamsburg. He was successful in all these endeavors due to hard work, long hours and dedication that were equally matched by his wife, Sara. Despite all of his family and business demands, he still found time for his community. He regularly volunteered to work at polling places for local and national elections. He was also very active supporting Lynchburg College, where he served a number of years on the Board of Trustees and was selected as a “Distinguished Alumni.”
He helped advise and financially start The Joshua Wilton House with his son, Craig, and daughter-in-law, Bert, in 1988. It is still a very successful restaurant and inn in Harrisonburg, Va. It has been written up in a number of national magazines and was featured on The Food Network.
In 1999, he and Sara moved to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, Va. They made many dear and close friends while there. Sara passed away in 2004.
Dennis’ life will always be celebrated, but will be sadly missed. He was a special husband, father, grandfather, friend and companion. He was one of the last true “Southern Gentlemen.”
There will be no formal visitation. However, friends may visit the Kyger Funeral Home anytime during the day Thursday and Friday. A burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date with full military honors.
Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
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