Dr. Ray Howard Moore, 1918-2007

Yesterday I learned that the father of one of my college professors passed away. Dr. Ray H. Moore, father of Dr. Phil Moore, who is the chairman of the Southern Nazarene University School of Music. Dr. Phil Moore was my advisor while I was at SNU, and was more of a friend than just a professor. Many times he and his wife Donna opened the doors of their home to the music students and made us feel a part of their family. The passing of Dr. Moore's father unfortunately fell on the anniversary of the death of his daughter, Mandy. Mandy passed away nearly 10 years ago, if my memory serves me correctly. She was in her 20's I believe and I cannot remember exactly what took her life. But I'm sure this has made it just that much more difficult to deal with. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Moore, Donna, and the entire Moore family at this time. May God Bless them! Below is an article on Dr. Ray Moore from NCNnews.com.

Bethany, Oklahoma

Monday, January 08, 2007

Renowned Nazarene educator and minister of music Ray Howard Moore passed away January 7. He was 88.

Moore was born on February 17, 1918, in Bronson, Michigan, to Jessie and Mattie Moore. A 1941 college graduate of Olivet Nazarene College, Moore earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1956. He was honored with a doctorate in music from Olivet in 1980.

Moore faithfully served as a minister of music and educator in the Church of the Nazarene for more than 60 years. He served churches in Detroit, Kansas City, and Bethany, Oklahoma. He was also a professor at Olivet Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Southern Nazarene University, and European Nazarene Bible College.

For 20 years Moore was music director of the radio broadcast, “Showers of Blessings” and “La Hora Nazarena,” which were broadcast around the world from Nazarene Headquarters in Kansas City. He also led Ambassador Ministry Teams to Central and South America as well as Europe. He started radio stations in Kankakee, Illinois (WKOC) and Kansas City, and built communication equipment for missionaries around the world. Moore (W5RSL) was an avid ham radio operator, beginning at the age of nine.

Moore’s life of distinguished service was marked by numerous awards and recognitions, including the Heritage Award from Southern Nazarene University, the “O” Award from Olivet Nazarene University, and the Cathedral Choir Heritage Award from Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Edith, granddaughter Amanda Moore, stepson Mark Rawlings, and nine brothers and sisters. He is survived by wife Nelda, daughter Kathy (Ron) Johns of Tulsa, son Phil (Donna) Moore of Bethany, son Harlan (Barbi) Moore of Oklahoma City, special nephew Dick (Ann) Moore of Mission Viejo, California, stepson Mike (Micki) Rawlings of Dallas, and stepdaughter-in-law Kelly Rawlings of Wichita. Surviving grandchildren include Lindsay Moore (Ken Marshall), step-grandchildren Ron (Brenda) Johns, Jr., and Michelle, Jessica, Shelby, and Gunnar Rawlings. Surviving siblings are sister Pauline Alexander of Covington, Ohio, and brother Gary (Marge) Moore of Kansas City.

Memorials may be made to the Ray H. Moore Music Scholarship, Olivet Nazarene University, One University Avenue, Bourbonnais, Illinois, 60914-9937.

Family visitation will be Tuesday, January 9, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home in Bethany. A memorial service will be held at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene on Wednesday, January 10, at 10:00 a.m., with interment on Thursday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Green Lawn Cemetery, Kansas City. --Mercer-Adams Funeral Home,

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