Obituary

John Newton Moore, age 86, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 11, 2021. He was born October 10, 1934, in Sunnyside, Washington to Ernest and Catherine Moore in their home. He grew up working on the family dairy farm driving his own team of horses as a young boy. He graduated from Sunnyside High School and joined the U.S. Army, serving in the field artillery for two years.  In 1957, he married Burnice Berg and began their life adventure of 64 years. They built their first home with the help of their extended families. They had three children: Julie, Vance, and Todd. John was a union plumber and pipe fitter for 34 years as well as a farmer growing asparagus and raising a few cattle.  Each year, John celebrated the end of the asparagus season by taking his family for a week to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon.  In 1991, John sold the farm and moved his family to Bellingham. He retired in 1996 and became the “chauffeur” for his granddaughters shuttling them to preschool, kindergarten, dance classes, and to Lafeens Donut Shop for treats.

All his life John was a devoted church member, sang in the choir, and gave generously of his time and talents. John enjoyed camping at Mount Rainer. He went with his sons to antique tractor shows, the Deming Logging Show, industrial museums, and local live theatre performances.  He looked forward to having coffee with friends and eating breakfast out with his sons. He was an avid reader from a family of dedicated readers – a quiet man with a wry sense of humor.

Our family fondly remembers nightly family dinners, watching Masterpiece Theatre together, listening to the Mystery Theatre on the radio, and to music on the turntable as we were falling asleep. We remember his kindness, positivity, and his special way of whistling.

He is survived by his wife Burnice, daughter Julie Veenstra (Bruce), sons Vance and Todd, granddaughters, Alexis and Noam, sisters: Mary Ann Renner, Nancy Koreski (Gary), Vicki Sanborn (Bill), Susie Ott, Laura Burns, Andy Moore (Cheryl), his brothers: Mike (June), Hershel (Karen), Ed (Pat), Tom (Ruth), and David. He is also survived by 31 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Catherine, and his sisters Janet Spears and Kathy Mason.

A private graveside service will be held at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham with Pastor Eric Finsand of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church officiating. A memorial service for John is planned for Friday, June 23, 2022, at 5:00 PM in Sunnyside, Washington for his extended family and friends at the home of his sister Laura Burns.