Jack M. Moore's Obituary
Jack M. Moore, born in 1927 in Montpelier, Indiana to John and Blanche Tabler Moore. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Dorthea Kane Moore. He is survived by his daughters Victoria (Lee) Bode, Kathleen (Abdul) Aziz and granddaughter Jennifer Bode. Also surviving are his brother Max W. (Joyce) Moore and nephews Michael and John.
Jack joined the Army during WWII after graduating from high school in Wakarusa, Indiana and was on his way to the Pacific Theater when the war ended. His combat engineering company was halted en route and assigned instead to the Army Air Force Base at Rio Hato, Panama. It was here he met and married his wife, Dorthea. After his discharge in 1948, they returned to Indiana where he was employed as paving superintendent by the Bontrager Construction company which was engaged in building major highways and sewer projects. After completing the Indiana Toll Road, he joined the Muncie Paving Company, working on part of the North-South thruway near Louisville, KY. In December 1959, the family decided to move to warmer a climate and arrived in Tucson, AZ on January 2, 1960.
He joined the Tucson Police Department on Jan. 16, 1960, served as city jailer in the old City Hall, then as a photographer in the Identification section and eventually to the detective division. He was promoted to Sergeant on July 16, 1968 and in early 1970 formed the TPD Bomb Squad. He was in the first training class at Redstone Arsenal and was the detective in charge of explosive incidents as well as many suspicious fire incidents. He was also a founding member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators.
In January 1980, Mr Moore retired from TPD and became a research associate at the Apache Powder Company in St. David, AZ and obtained four patents for them in safety products. When they discontinued their explosives manufacture, the family moved back to Tucson and Jack
became a consultant to the Tucson Airport Authority, retiring in 1995.
For many years, Mr. Moore was active in Catalina and San Pedro Valley Methodist churches. In later years, he and his wife began attending Northminster Presbyterian church with their daughter and family, joining in 1996.
The family is profoundly grateful to the Taylor Circle of Friends aides for their outstanding care in Dad’s final days. They would especially like to thank Kathy, Melissa and Leana. Services will be held at Evergreen Mortuary Chapel on Wed. June 24 at 10:30 AM with Rev. John Cheek officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Gospel Rescue Mission or the Salvation Army.
What’s your fondest memory of Jack?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jack?
Share a story where Jack's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jack you’ll never forget.
How did Jack make you smile?