Edmund S. "Ed" Moore

Edmund “Ed” Speer Moore

Edmund “Ed” Speer Moore, 96, Hays, died Friday, May 29, 2020 at HaysMed.

He was born August 11, 1923 in Manhattan, Kansas to Florence Speer Moore and Leo Albert Moore. He graduated from Hays High School and then attended Fort Hays State prior to the United States entry into WWII.  At his request, his mother signed for him so he could enlist in the United States Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 15th Air Force, 456th Bomber Squadron. The experience in the military was life changing for him and enduring bonds and friendships were forged. Based in Italy, he was a Crew Chief, Flight Engineer and Tail Gunner. He named one of his planes after movie star Diana Lynn and wrote a letter telling her so. She wrote back asking for a picture but by that time the plane had been shot down. He found a Crew whose plane was unnamed, and they agreed to let him paint the name “Diana Lynn” on theirs.

Upon the conclusion of the war he returned to Hays where he met and married Georgia Wolfram. They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary on May 1, 2020. In 1965 he and his wife established Moore Tours International, a travel agency that they would operate for the next 50 years. In 1977 Ed reached out to members of the 456th Bomber Squadron and begin planning a reunion. This would turn into an annual event that was held through 2015. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hays, and he was a Deacon and Elder in the church.  He was drawn to both people and animals and they were drawn to him. He was skilled at making all living things feel comfortable and valued.

He is survived by his wife Georgia of the home, son Ed, Excelsior Springs MO, daughter Renee Garrett (Steve Jorgensen) Hays, grandsons David Bendett (Amber) Corpus Christi TX, Greg Moore, Excelsior Springs MO, granddaughter Rachel Moore, Corpus Christi, TX and great grandchildren, Tristan Moore, and Cadence and Zion Bendett.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter-in-law Theresa Moore and a great-granddaughter Eden Bendett.

Energetic and engaging he was the finest of men. He lived a full and complete life, but for those of us who loved him it was still too short. We will honor him as he honored others, by caring for the living.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 11:00 on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, followed by a graveside service at Mt. Allen Cemetery with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Wounded Warriors (4899 Belfort Road Suite 300 Jacksonville FL 32256 (online at woundedwarrior.org ) or the Charity of your choice.  Condolences and memories of Ed may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com