Grady Thomas Moore
On Friday May 22, 2020, Grady Thomas Moore left this life and went to be with the Lord. A beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend, Dad passed away peacefully at home in Dripping Springs, Texas. His loving wife of 62 years, Janice (Combs) Moore was with him in death just as she had been in life: right by his side. In the waning hours of his life, he was surrounded by numerous family members and friends who sang, prayed, read scripture, and rejoiced in the hope found in Jesus. Dad was born on August 27th, 1933 in San Saba County, Texas. As a boy he spent many hours playing along the banks of Comanche Creek and the Colorado river near Bend, Texas, where he would return year after year for family vacations and reunions. He often spoke with great fondness of his parents, Jarrell and Johnnie, and the many wonderful times he had growing up with his beloved siblings Harland, Mary, and Jimmy. Countless stories have emerged over the years of the fun they had together, but also of the challenges of life while growing up during the Great Depression and the years surrounding World War II. Dad would often say that his family was extremely poor during those early yea...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
but that he never knew it until he became an adult. His mother and father and older siblings made life enjoyable and fun despite the many difficulties of a depressed economy and life without the ease of modern conveniences and technology. In 1941, Dad and his family left the pecan orchards and sharecropping work of San Saba County and moved to Dripping Springs to manage a farm along Barton Creek. With all the high trees and many creek crevices and boulders that lined the path of the fertile area near Bell Springs Road, he and his brother Jimmy would often fish, hunt squirrels, and help with life on the farm. His family sold many eggs, which meant daily gathering, washing, and cleaning up after chickens. It was one of the main reasons why he hated chicken with a passion, and something everyone enjoyed teasing him about on a regular basis. Even during his last months as family and friends prepared many of his meals, we would often take great delight in suggesting that chicken would be the main course, to which he would respond with a disgusted face and disapproving remark. While attending all twelve years in the Dripping Spring school district, Dad was often known for his many pranks and jokes, some of which involved his "vanishing act": while the teacher stepped out of the classroom for a moment, Dad made his great escape through the open window, standing precariously on the second floor ledge outside the classroom window. While the adults searched for him inside the building, Dad carefully made his way back through the window for a sudden and "miraculous" appearance before his teacher's return. It was one of only many shenanigans he perpetrated on teachers and friends, most of which we (as his children) never heard about until we were grown and out of the house. Dad never really excelled in the classroom; in fact, he often joked that he was ranked 16th in his class ----out of a total of only 17 students, but he absolutely loved going to school at Dripping Springs. He enjoyed being in school plays, playing sports, and participating in all the social activities surrounding a small country school environment. He delighted to tell that he played on the last 6-man and the first 11-man football team of the Drippings Springs schools and took great pride in showing family and friends his school annuals and memorabilia from both high school and the military. One of his greatest joys was reminiscing about his many friends and family members, especially his life-long friends Clarence (Pooskie) Cobb and Jack Lyle whom he loved deeply. In 1953 he graduated from Dripping Springs High School, and then served two years in the United States Army, completing the majority of service at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. In the early 1960's he began his lifelong career in the insurance business, working for the Washington National Insurance Agency, with a passionate desire to help others prepare for the future. While he believed in the importance of his profession, he was even more dedicated to the needs of the Dripping Springs community. He served as President of the local school board and was a board member of the Philips Cemetery Association. He volunteered with the Helping Hands food bank and served in numerous other capacities as a volunteer for several civic and school organizations. He also was a leader of the Save our Schools Coalition in the late 1970's which prevented the movement of the Dripping Springs High School to the Lake Travis area. Throughout Dad's entire life, he remained connected with the local schools, often serving on advisory boards, attending countless sporting events, band concerts, and stock shows. He came to know every Superintendent and would occasionally visit their office to offer his opinion and advice. He had great respect and admiration for Superintendent Mary Ward, often speaking about how honored he was that she cared so much about the history and culture of the Dripping Springs community and school that he loved so much. Dad was so determined to preserve our community's history that he and Clarence Cobb were the driving force behind the naming of all of the current elementary schools, each bearing the name of a well-known spring used by the early settlers. His accomplishments and achievements are many, but none more important to him than the well-being of his family and his work at the Dripping Springs Church of Christ. His love for God and the work of the church were the absolute most important aspects of his life. In 1945 Dad was baptized into Christ near a place called the "bathtub" on Onion Creek. As a young man he would often assist in many of the activities of the church where his dad had served as an elder. While in the military dad was instrumental in helping to establish the Wahiawa church of Christ in Hawaii. Once returning to Texas and marrying the woman he had known from his youth, together they would work tirelessly for the Lord, teaching Bible classes, organizing church functions, contributing to missionary efforts, comforting the bereaved, and showing hospitality. Grady served for over 40 years as a shepherd, providing spiritual advice and marital counsel to untold numbers of families and friends. He along with his fellow elder and dear friend Bud Worthy made countless hospital visits, assisted widows and widowers, encouraged preachers, and ministered to the needs of the poor. He thoroughly enjoyed gospel singing, and up until just a few years ago was one of the main song leaders for the congregation, leading his brethren over the years in literally thousands of hymns of praise to his Savior and God. On occasions, he would deliver sermons, conduct funerals, and participate in missionary efforts. He also worked in key roles through the process of two major building projects for the church, serving as the project manager and lead designer. Both buildings are in use today; one is now the Dripping Springs City Hall, and the other at the present location where the Church of Christ meets at Meadow Oaks Drive. He loved the church deeply and sincerely and would never miss the opportunity to worship our Lord. Just five days before his death, on the Sunday evening of May 17, he assembled with a small group of Christians on a beautiful hill overlooking the old ranch once belonging to our mother's family. As the sun was setting over the beautiful Texas hill country, as it was also setting on his own remarkable life, he asked to lead the song "Standing on the Promises". It was the first song he ever led as a youth, and God knew it would also be his last. As we took in the beauty and joy of that memorable moment, we realized that Dad's life was wonderfully captured in the sentiments of that highly befitting song. He had lived his life in confident faith, resting in the promises of God and in view of the eternal blessings of a heavenly home provided by the goodness and mercy of the Lord. Grady is survived by his loving wife Janice (Combs) Moore, his son Thomas Moore (wife Carole), daughter Anita Merz (husband Roland), and son John Moore (wife Carla). He dearly loved his eight grandchildren and their spouses: Brandi Nichols (husband Josh), Deric Merz (wife Amy), Seth Moore (deceased), Kyle Merz, Joshua Moore (wife Emily), Jordan Moore (wife Erin), Jacob Moore (wife Alyssa), and Micah Moore (wife Courtney) as well as his great-grandchildren: Hailey (fiancé Matthew Stringham), Bryce, Ava, Seth and Alex Nichols, Isla and Raelyn Merz, Deacon and Caroline Moore, and Jackson and Emmalyn Moore. He was preceded in death by mother Johnnie (Fry) Moore, father Silas Moore, sister Mary Crumley, brothers Harland and Jimmy Moore and grandson Seth Thomas Moore. Grady Moore left an indelible mark of love, service, loyalty, and godliness on the lives of innumerable friends, acquaintances, and especially his family. He showed us the way to the Father by his words, by his life, and through the painful process of his death. His life and legacy live on. He will never be forgotten. His family would like to extend our love and thanks to the members of the Dripping Springs church of Christ, and to the many friends, family members, doctors, nurses, and staff who have ministered to our dad over the years and are helping to support us now. With love from his children; we are already missing you so, so much. Tommy, Anita, and John
