Ralph V. Moore

December 21, 1949 – March 28, 2016

Ralph V. Moore took his farming skills and laughter to heaven on March 28, 2016.

He was born Dec. 21, 1949 in the small town of Hay, Wash. Here began a lifelong passion for farming, instilled in him by his parents, James and Clara Moore. He worked various farming, construction, and mechanic jobs in the Northwest before landing in Ephrata, Wash.

Ralph briefly operated a mechanic shop in Ephrata, with his brother William (Bill) Moore in the early 1970s.

In 1972, he married Sandie Trunkey and made a home with her, and her three children in Ephrata. Together, they had his only daughter, Kim.

He joined the Grant County PUD in 1975 as a mechanic, primarily at Wanapum Dam.

In 1985 he was approached by his grandmother, Dorothy Burgess. Knowing Ralph’s love for farming, she asked Ralph if he would be willing to take over the family farm near Kahlotus, Wash. Ralph jumped at the opportunity to farm his own crops. He maintained his PUD career and became a successful dry land wheat farmer and cattle rancher in his “off time”.

Ralph met the love of his life in a pizza parlor in 1992. He and Judi were married in 1995 and their love was sealed in the Mormon Temple May 3, 2012. They spent their free time spoiling their combined grandchildren on their expanded 70 acre homestead in rural Warden, Wash.

Ralph retired from Grant County PUD in 2005. He was diagnosed with bone cancer shortly after retirement. During his treatment, visitors could typically find his room by listening for the audience of medical staff that he was making laugh. Treatment challenged his attendance at the farm, but his determination and passion for life kept him moving.

In retirement, he greatly reduced his farming activities in favor of traveling in their motor home. They regularly wintered in Arizona where they explored the desert in their Rhino.

He was well known for his honesty, pride in all he did, his solid work ethic, and love of farming. He will be remembered for his handshake and smile, his laughter in conversation and his devoted faith. He found peace in a wheat field, from meticulously planting the seed in the ground, to watching the mature crop wave in the gentle breeze.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judi Moore; his daughter Kim and Brent Barclay; stepdaughter Michelle and Shane McKibben; stepson Devon and Tanja Cullum; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; his mother Clara Moore, sister Ruth Martin and brother William Moore. He is preceded in death by his father James Moore and sister Lois Moore.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1017 S County Rd, Warden, Wash. on Thursday March 31, 2016 at 2 p.m., followed by graveside services at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Road U SE, south of Warden, Wash.

Arrangements are in the care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory in Moses Lake (www.kayserschapel.com).