Preston (Red) Aaron Moore

Preston (Red) Aaron Moore, longtime resident of Benton City and Ephrata, passed away on March 6, 2005 at Columbia Basin Hospital.

Preston was born on Jan. 2, 1911 to Edward and Margaret (Pittman) Moore in Lebanon, Mo.

Preston met and married the love of his life, Bernice Elliott in Denver, Colo. on July 31, 1941. While in Denver, Preston worked for the DuPont Company.

The family moved to the Tri-Cities area in 1944. Bernice was a homemaker and Preston worked for General Electric as a cement finisher. In 1959, they left Richland and moved to a farm in Benton City. Mr. Moore worked at Hanford for Douglas United Nuclear until he retired in 1971 and began ranching full-time. Preston and Bernice raised registered Hereford cattle until 1992 when they moved to Ephrata to be closer to their daughters.

Preston was a member of the Cattleman's Association, the National Republican Party and the Church of Christ.

Preston devoted his life to the Lord, his family and work. Preston and Bernice would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this July.

Preston was preceded in death by his parents, an only brother, and three sisters. Survivors include his loving wife, Bernice, and their four children and spouses: Preston L. and Sandra Moore of Kennewick, DeeAnn Ainsworth of Ephrata, Eddie and (Sheryl) Moore of Coulee Dam, and KayLyn and (Randy) Miller of Ephrata. He also has one surviving sister, Enola Engle of Palo Alto, Calif. Preston and Bernice have been blessed with 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Preston was deeply loved by his family and respected and admired by all who knew him. His legacy will live on through his grandchildren and their children.

A celebration of Preston's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2005 at the Ephrata Church of Christ with Merrill Spence officiating.

State Funeral Home in Grand Coulee is in charge of cremation arrangements.