Vernard Lee Moore

Having lived 94 years young as a lifelong Idahoan, Vernard Lee Moore, “Vern,” passed peacefully in his sleep at home on December 27, 2021, to ride the heavens on his “forever Harley.” Vern was born in Boise, Idaho, August 20, 1927 to Bonnie Moore.

Vern went to school in Boise and attended Garfield and Central Elementary Schools, North Jr. High, Boise High School, and Linfield College in McMinnville, OR. He left school to join the Air Corps and the war effort in Korea. He was a dabbler by hobby and a military man by trade.

In 1945, at the spry age of 18, Vern enlisted in the United States Air Corps and began a military career spanning 35 years of service. He enlisted in the United States Air Corps, and continued serving in the US Navy and US Army as a morse coder and radio operator during the Korean War, with assignments in South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. Serving with the Idaho Air National Guard, beginning in 1959, both as reserve and full-time, he made lifelong friends and dutifully served his beloved Idaho. In addition to the military, a 22-year maintenance position with the Boise School District completed his working life as a “dabbler” in all things mechanical. His proud recall of his morse code skills continued up to his last days.

His marriage in 1957 to Karen Krall resulted in two beautiful daughters, Staci and Leighan. A second marriage in 1968 to Faye Rowell created a blended family, to include a dear son and daughter, Ron McLean and Pam Rowell.

The hobbies that enthralled him included time with his family, WWII history, the Nature Channel, golden oldie movies, CB and ham radio, morse coding, and RV-ing. His younger days were spent riding his beloved Harley Davidson on week-ends and holidays with his daughters, and adventurous wife, Faye.

Always a community minded person, Vern held membership and volunteer time with the Los Viajeros Motorcycle Club, Boise First Baptist Church, REACT-Boise Police Department, Voice of Idaho Amateur Radio Club, Idaho Grange, and Good Sam Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bonnie and Clarence Shelton, Boise; cherished grandson, Tyler Smith; and wife, Faye.

Surviving Vern are siblings Denis (Camille) Shelton, Eugene, OR; Carolyn (Fred) Lukson, Goodyear, AZ; a son Ron (Sarah) McLean, Oklahoma City, OK; and daughters Pam Rowell (Alan Bailey), Staci (Clint) McCreedy, and Leighan (Mike) Smith, all of Boise. Grandchildren are Rhonda, Melanie (Bryan), Tammie (Larry), and Mary (Rocky), Rick (Janelle); all of Oklahoma. Hilary, Andy and Sean, Boise; Zoe, Portland, OR; and Kipp, Seattle, WA. Vern was very proud of his grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

The family is especially grateful to Vern’s lifelong friend, companion and caregiver, Karen Rotsaert, who made it possible for him to happily live out his last years in his own home with quality and dignity, surrounded by the pastimes he loved.

With his devotion to his loving blended family, his deep pride in his military service, and his commitment to heartfelt community service, we will miss Vern’s kind and generous soul, his abundant tinkering, and the adventurous spirit behind his Harley and RV escapades. His lasting memory will continue to live within us through the stories and love in our hearts. 

A graveside Celebration of Vern’s Life will be held at 2PM on March 12th, 2022 at Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of the staff of Cloverdale Funeral Home.
Tributes and memories are welcome at https://www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com/tributes

Vern had many beloved pet cats over the years and, if you so choose, he would be pleased with a donation to a local cat adoption center Simply Cats. 
https://simplycats.org/adopt