Roger Moore
August 4, 1922 ~ September 21, 2020
Roger Moore, 98, of Brookings and formerly of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, September 21, 2020 at the Brookings Hospital, Brookings, SD.
Due to COVID, a private family burial took place, Friday, September 25, 2020 at the Gettysburg Cemetery with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. A Celebration of Life will follow at a later date.
Roger Ratliff Moore was born August 4, 1922, in Highmore, SD, to Robert and Sadie (Ratliff) Moore. He was the third of their eleven children.
Roger attended schools in Ree Heights, Herron (North Carolina), Potter County and Gettysburg High School before leaving school to work on the family farm following his father's death.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in November, 1942, and served as a communications lineman in Company A of the 50th Signal Battalion. Roger was initially stationed in Iceland and England, participating in the ill-fated "Exercise Tiger" at Slapton Sands. He saw action in the D-Day Invasion at Utah Beach, in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest, and in the liberation march across France and Germany until his discharge in October, 1945.
He married Delores Griese in Pierre, SD, on April 16, 1949.
Roger was a long-time farmer who enjoyed raising children, sheep, and (according to his stories) monkeys on Potter County soil. Even after his retirement from farming, Roger was happiest planting potatoes, feeding pheasants, and puttering around the pole barn at his summer farmstead in Avon Springs Township.
Roger was proud to have served in the South Dakota House of Representatives in Pierre from 1963-1970.
Surviving him are his six children: Bev Moore, Watertown, SD; Rick Moore, Batesland, SD; Jeff (Sue Dahlquist) Moore, Dickinson, ND; Brad (Kathy Tienken) Moore, Aberdeen, SD; Deb (Wayne) Wolforth, Brookings, SD; and Jenny (Jeff) Westphal, Urbandale, IA; his nine grandchildren: Amber, Jason, Justin, Matt, Erica, Travis, Lindsay, Samantha and Michael; 12 great-grandchildren; and his siblings: Jim Moore, Gettysburg; Elwood Moore, Sioux Falls; Alma (Marshall) Dutton, Crawfordville, FL; and Robbie Bobier, Henderson, NV.
He was preceded in death by his wife Delores; his parents; two sisters: Ruth Gilkerson and Lucy VanBockel; and four brothers: Bernice, Charles, Don and Myron Moore.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Roger’s arrangements.
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God has Blessed my life with an endless number of quality friendships.
Roger Moore's friendship has been a special treasure to me since our first meeting many years ago. I will always remember our times together.
When looking for the definition of the "Greatest Generation" Roger Moore's picture will appear.
Rest in peace my dear friend.
My deepest sympathy to the Moore Family.
Deb and family…
Our family sends prayers and sympathies to you.
I cannot tell you how many stories my Dad, Earl, shared with us. Dad loves to talk… he thoroughly enjoyed all the times he and Roger chatted at dinner, at coffee or in the hallway. They became immediate friends at StoneyBrook. It is certainly a loss for StoneyBrook and my father. Thank you for sharing him even though their time together was short.
I am very sorry for your loss of such a great man.
I was able to meet Roger in person only one time, and his intelligence and wit carried the encounter beyond all my expectations. Although Roger was one of the vanishing group of first cousins in this family, I was able to follow him in his later years on social media, thanks to his family. And for that I am eternally grateful to them. The photos and posts they showed us went far in making up for the different worlds we grew up and lived in. The memory of this fine man will warm my heart for all days to come. RIP, Roger. Godspeed on your journey back to the stars. You deserve the best heaven has to offer.
Jeff, Sue and family of Roger – our deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. We have heard many of Roger's stories from Jeff, quite the sense of humor! Hold on to all those memories and cherish them. Prayers for all of you!
Roger and Delores were good friends to Phil and I. Our sympathy goes to all the family. You are in my prayers. Strengh and peace to you.
To Jenny and Family,
While I never met Mr. Moore, I continue to thank the good Lord for men of his character and the many gifts his generation bestowed on mine. What an incredible life and I know he will leave a huge void in the community. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with all of you.
Brad sorry to hear of you Dad's passing
Wayne and Rita Nelson