Melvin Royce Moore

Melvin Royce Moore 83 of Amarillo died Sunday April 26, 2009 at the Thomas E. Creek Veterans Affair Medical Center. Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM Friday May 1, 2009 at Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel with Gary Malone, pastor of Gateway International officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Royce was born in Calhoun, IL on March 21, 1926 to Harrold S. Moore, II and Dorothea (Reasor) Moore. He moved to Amarillo with his family in 1927. Royce served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the Joseph Priestley Liberty ship in the South Pacific. After being discharged from the Navy, he worked at the Amarillo Globe News for 11 years as a District Supervisor and retired from the Amarillo Independent School District as a Grounds Foreman after 8 years of service. He volunteered at the VA Hospital for 16 years serving as the popcorn man. He had contributed 3,914 volunteer hours when he retired. He served the VA Hospital from May, 1993 July, 2008. Royce married Lucille Gordy Griffin on February 1, 1964. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this past February. Royce was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters. The family would like to extend their gratitude for the love, support, visits and calls they have received from friends and family. They would also like to thank the VA Medical Staff and Dr. Neelagaru for their care giving of our husband, father, brother and friend. Royce is survived by wife, Lucille Gordy Moore, Amarillo; 2 daughters, Renee Archer of Amarillo, Nancy Smith and her husband Ron of Lewisville, TX; a son, Paul Moore and his wife Marianne of Amarillo; a step-son, Milton Griffin and his wife Pam of Greenwood, AR; 3 sisters; Kathleen Erickson of Alvord, TX, Barbara Bradley and Peggy Brown both of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; and his dog, Bruiser. The family suggests donations be submitted to the Melvin Royce Moore memorial fund at Amarillo National Bank.