Fred Moore

Fred Moore, 87, of Midland passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park.Fred was predeceased in death by his parents, C.M. and Bessie, his step-mother Ruth, his brother Roy Dale Moore and his sister Lois Watson. He is survived by wife Joy; sons Freddy (Penny) Moore of San Angelo and Marvin (Cindy) Moore of Midland; grandchildren Sarah (Barrett) Brannon, Seth (Alyssa) Moore, Davis Moore, and Luke Moore; great grandchildren, Greyson Moore and Hattie-Claire Brannon. He is also survived by sisters, Melva Porter of Salem, KY, and Wanda Schuppe of Carmel, IN, and brothers, Leon Moore (Dottie) Moore of Ledbetter, KY and Louis Moore of Ledbetter, KY.Fred was born on December 9, 1929 in Carrsville, Livingston County, Kentucky on a big bend in the Ohio River to Bessie Carr Moore and Clarence Marvin Moore. Our grandad paid the doctor for services for Fred’s birth, which was performed at the family home, by selling one pig.As a boy, Dad’s view of the world was limited to following two mules as they pulled a cultivator over Grandpa’s and neighboring farms. Also, the harshness of the Western Kentucky winters was a prime motivation for Fred to look for something more (he hated to be cold!). These experiences convinced Dad that his future must hold more promise than this.Dad concluded that joining the Army would be a vast improvement. After his 18-month hitch with the U.S. Army in Fort Benning Georgia, he realized there were yet greener pastures. He worked for Sunbeam in Chicago until he was lured by the promise of better employment in West Texas and moved to Midland in 1952. Fred’s uncle Harry and aunt Pearl provided a home while he began to find his way. He started as a floor hand on drilling rigs in Texas and Farmington, New Mexico. During this time, a lifelong friendship developed with Pete, Clifford, Burl and the entire Pillows family. Dad and Pete Pillows thought they would make their fortune owning and operating their own coast-to-coast over-the-road rig. They found the dream of entrepreneurship proved to be much different than reality. They basically went bust. However, dad found his vocation driving an 18-wheeler, working for Cactus Petroleum, C.J. Penn and Western Oil Transportation.During this time, while Dad was driving for Cactus Petroleum out of Andrews, he met Joy Dee Davis in the spring of 1955 and married September 16 of that same year at Shafter Lake near Andrews. Their first-born, Freddy, came along in 1957. The young family lived in several West Texas garden spots, Marryneal, Midland, Grandfalls, Midland again, Big Lake, where they were met with the arrival of Marvin in 1961. Fred and Joy again pulled up stakes and returned, yet again, to Midland, where Dad was promoted to the position of District Manager for the Permian Corporation. Dad, not being a favorite of organized labor, was persuaded to transfer to the same position in Brownfield. For a man, with what he claimed was an 8th grade education (and we think he inflated that somewhat) he rose to a position held by college graduates when he was promoted out of Operations into Management with the Permian Corporation. And, shockingly, again moved the family back to Midland in 1978. Dad worked for his mentor, Bill Klein, to the end of Dad’s working career in 1992. Unaccustomed to the politics of corporate America and after the merger of Scurlock and Permian, Dad, to the dismay of higher-ups became the stuff of legends by completing required detailed monthly reports with the following:“Trucks running – business as usual.”In retirement Dad was able to enjoy lifelong hobbies of hunting and fishing. He developed a fondness for golf and especially wood-working. Dad even assisted in teaching a wood-working class through Midland College.Because of Dad’s lack of schooling, education became a priority for his family. To us, going to college after high school was no different than going to 6th grade after 5th grade. Fred and Joy provided college educations to two sons and did so without debt to either of us.Dad was a supportive and dedicated Grandpa to Sarah, Seth, Davis and Luke and Great-Grandpa to Greyson and Hattie-Claire, as he would have been to another expected great grandchild.Dad confessed Jesus as Lord and was baptized in May 2002 and faithfully maintained that relationship until he was called home.In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be donated to the Alamo Heights Baptist Church Missions Program.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com,