Alfred Carmen “Al” Moore, 88, formerly of Midway, GA went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Lafayette, IN surrounded by his wife and daughters.
He was born August 4, 1935, in Muncie, IN, to the late Harvey and Helen (Rodenberger) Moore.
Alfred attended Muncie Central High School and on April 1st, 1956, Al began his decades long career as a ‘tin man’ – (sheet metal worker) for the SMART 20 Sheet Metal Workers Union. Al was very proud that he received his 25 year pin in 1982, his 40 year pin in 1996, his 50 year pin in 2006 and his 60 year pin in 2016.
In 1952, Al started working for Gerald Hirons, and that is who he credits with giving him his first real job. He worked for Montefusco Sheet Metal and Warfel Sheet Metal intermittently, while building the Westinghouse Factory in Muncie. He used to laugh that there was a wage war between the two employers, and he profited from it handsomely. He said he proudly saved every bit of the extra money he earned. He ended up working full time for Warfel Sheet Metal in 1958 and got his Journeyman’s Card in 1960. Eventually Al ended up buying the sheet metal business from Bill Warfel’s widow, and he partnered with Tom Adams Roofing for several years before selling off his share of the business. In time, Al went to work at Jack Sater Electric for several years, along with his good friend and work buddy, Butch Groves. Al retired in 1995 and ultimately relocated near Savannah, GA in 2004.
On December 20, 1986, he married Phyllis Jean Barr and she survives.
Surviving with his wife, Phyllis Jean Moore are two daughters, Paula La’Nay (Jeff) Bennett of Lafayette, IN, and Sheryl Lynn (John) Estes of Weatherford, TX, a son, Rodger Allen Moore of Midway, GA, and a stepdaughter, Terri Sue Fancil of Eaton, IN. Two sisters, Marjorie (Chuck) Winn of Losantville, IN and Sara LaRue Dean of TN. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Alfred was preceded in death by three sisters, Virginia Laverne Moore, Dorothy Jean Moore, Thelma Louise Coffman, a brother, Harold Wayne Moore and a grandson, Branden Lee Moore.
Al never met a stranger. He was always known to crack a joke and strike up a conversation wherever he was, always making a new friend. He was well known, and he was a very hard worker who could do just about any job there was. He was a jack of all trades. He could design and build houses; he helped build two for his daughter, Paula. He could flip a house and make a buck – or two, but Al’s Achilles heel was always cars! Al was an avid car enthusiast. He could accurately recall every single car he ever bought and when – and there were several over the years. He had quite a model car and book collection. His one small regret was trading off his rare 2013 Gold Metallic Cadillac CTS Sport Coupe –for which people affectionately nicknamed him the ‘Gold Man”! He ended up trading the CTS Coupe off for brand new 2017 Bright Red Grand Sport Corvette – all at the tender young age of 82.
He would enjoy doing puzzles with his wife, playing card games and he’d wheel and deal with the best of them when it came to a game of high stakes Monopoly! He loved paddle wheel river boats. He loved bridges – big expansion bridges. He also loved building bonfires, and he liked to travel – usually to car shows. Al would never turn down a good meal.
He enjoyed and missed working hard. He became a ‘volunteer supervisor’ on many local construction projects in the latter years of his retirement. At one point, a road crew was paving the road in front of his house. He would get up every morning and go get the crew coffee – and just hang out, helping if they would let him. Finally, the real highway crew supervisor said if he kept coming out to the jobsite, he was going to have to have his own reflective vest and hard hat. So, the crew got him one and named him an “Honorary Crew Chief.”
Most of all, Al loved sharing fond stories and memories with his children and grandchildren. He loved his family very much and wished they would have come to understand just how much he cared for each of them. He wished he could have spent more time with them. He often said his son-in-law, Jeff, was his best buddy. Partner in crime is more like it. They liked to laugh, joke and cut up a lot, and talk about politics, football and NASCAR.
Al served as an elder at West Side Baptist Church in Hinesville, GA. He was most appreciative of his relationship with the Lord. He would often say he was not always a righteous man – in fact he would say he was far less than that, but the Lord was kind and gracious, accepted him, forgave him and transformed him to the man he later became. A wretched sinner saved by grace…but isn’t that the beauty and the message of the Cross? To God be the Glory!
Every day Al would tell his daughter and grandchildren that were caring for him, how thankful and appreciative he was. The family would like to especially thank the staff at Compassus Hospice Care in Savannah, GA and Southern Care Hospice in Lafayette, IN. Their kindness and loving care made all the difference to Al in his final days!
Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until the time of the service at 4:00 pm on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, with Pastor Owen Mason officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made in AL’s name to Prophecy USA Ministries, PO Box 2833 CLEARWATER, FL 33757.
You may leave condolences and memories at www.soller-baker.com