On Saturday April 22, at the home of Leon and Joyce Moore, a celebration took place to commemorate the years of service in the military that Leon Moore participated in as his 87th birthday was also celebrated. Leon Moore’s son Tommy Moore and the family got together to honor Leon Moore, with dozens of friends, family and admirers wishing him well, and several precious moments shared.
‘“Precious Memories,’ that’s his favorite. Any guest who walks through that door he asks me to play it,” Joyce Moore, 80, said as she sat on a bench at her mother’s antique pipe organ.
At the beginning of this celebration, when Leon Moore arrived to a gas station with a group of motorcycle riding military veterans called the Patriot Guard Riders parked outside, shock and awe were on his face.
As he emerged from his son Tommy Moore’s car, wind blowing his silky white hair, he palmed his forehead in disbelief at what he was witnessing.
Leon Moore was given a hero’s convoy. He climbed into the back of a three wheel motorcycle making his way from a gas station on Hwy. 84, escorted by police motorcade to his home a couple of miles away.
Leon Moore was once a soldier, a veteran who survived the Korean War and went on to raise a family.
Post military he worked in the tire business as an employee of Firestone Tires before branching off and starting his own business with his son Michael called L & M Tires.
Leon’s son Tommy Moore said it was rare that his father was ever at a loss for words. But on this occasion, during this special ceremony set specifically to honor his father, there wasn’t much Leon Moore could say because so many good and commendable things were said about him.
At the party several guests spoke, and the Patriot Guard presented Leon Moore a flag that had flown above the Capitol building.
His 87 years flashed before the eyes of those in attendance as speakers such as mayors Kenneth Boswell and Bruce Grantham, local legend Coach Thad Morgan and friends spoke about the type of man Mr. Moore was and is.
They all spoke at length, including his pastor, about his faithfulness and dutiful service. Joyce Moore tells the story of how he became a church member.
“He kept the church up, he took care of anything that was wrong with the building. He did these things 10 years before joining.
“Before he joined the church everybody thought he was a member. There was a deacon who said, ‘We need another deacon.’
“The pastor said, ‘Who do you suggest we get?’
“The deacon said, ‘How about brother Leon?’
“The pastor said, ‘you got to get him a member first.’
“And when he joined, they asked him if he had anything to say and he said, ‘No,’ and then Leon stopped and said, ‘It’s about time. Don’t you think?’
“Everybody in church laughed.”
Leon and Joyce Moore’s first date took place in a church, at a revival. They were married in April of 1954 and for 63 years one could say the hand of God has been on their lives.
“Do you remember them talking about his health?” Joyce Moore asks.
“Six years ago he had a major heart attack. A silent heart attack and I didn’t know what was wrong but I realized it was something bad. He died 10 minutes after we got him (to the hospital). They say he came back on his own. I said, no he didn’t. It was all God. We know we have miracles.”
Leon Moore walks in to the house after hours of being swarmed with well-wishers and admirers.
“Go over there and play him something on the organ,” he says to his wife.
“I already have,” she says.
“You already have?” he asks.
“Did she play number 396?” He asks me.
“Yeah I did,” she answers.
The hymnal stays open to number 396, “Precious Memories,” a song that perfectly details the 87 years of Leon Moore’s life.
Precious mem’ries, unseen angels
Sent from somewhere to my soul
How they linger, ever near me
As the sacred past unfold.
On this overwhelming occasion that has left Leon Moore mostly speechless, he takes a moment to discuss last words. A man, filled with 87 years worth of wisdom says, “I’ve had people ask me, ‘How in the world do you do it? Stay married that long?’”
“I say well, you got to learn something right away, real quick… You get the last word in and it’s, ‘yes ma’m.’”
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