Harold Moore

Longtime South Whidbey resident Harold (Hal) Moore passed away Monday, Dec. 11.

Harold Robert was born in Cashmere to Elenor and John Moore on March 23, 1937. With his siblings Willie and Frantz, he grew up on a farm on Holst Road in Clinton, and graduated from South Whidbey High School in 1956.

Hal joined the Navy in 1956 and served 20 years. While stationed in California, he married Margaret (Peg) Flood in 1960.

After his retirement from the Navy, he and Peg returned to Whidbey Island where they built a house next door to his boyhood home. There they farmed and raised their family—son Shawn, and daughter Nora. Hal went to work for the South Whidbey School District in the maintenance department and served 20 years there before retiring in 2000.

Hal also served the community as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and captain of the Rescue Squad.

Not one to be idle in retirement, Hal turned his skills with machinery into a small appliance repair business from his home workshop. He could also be seen helping out at Jim’s Hardware in Clinton when the need arose. On election days, Hal volunteered as a poll worker at the Clinton Progressive Hall. Hal was a good neighbor, mentor, and friend to many in the community.

He loved to fish and was especially interested in fly-fishing. His son Shawn said, “The fish in the rivers and streams can rest easy now.”

Family was very important to Hal, and he leaves behind his loving wife and life partner Peg, his son Shawn, his daughter Nora Busby and her husband Jim, grandchildren Jessica and AJ, and his brothers Frantz and Willie and their extended families. He will be greatly missed by his brother-in-law and fishing partner Tom Flood, his wife Jill, and their children and grandchildren, to whom he was “Uncle Hal.”

Hal also leaves behind a host of friends in the community. “He touched many lives, and helped make the world a better place. He was loved and will be missed,” said Shawn Moore.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated for Harold at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Langley. A reception for family and friends will take place after the service at the Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club.

Memorials to Hal’s life may be sent to the American Cancer Society.