Loryn Moore, a longtime resident of Thatcher, entered into eternal life Saturday morning, August 10, 2024, at the Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, following a decline in health. Loryn was 84.
Loryn was born and raised in the Mesa/Lehi area of Arizona. He loved to work alongside his grandparents and learned to value hard work, a love that he passed on to his children.
Alongside his wife, Ann, he raised 8 children, teaching them to be good and industrious people. Most importantly, he taught them to love their Savior and to serve Him.
He was an educator, by profession. He taught first in Maricopa, AZ, then moved his family to the Gila Valley, where he taught at Lafe Nelson Elementary School for 31 years. At first glance at his tall, quiet demeanor, some thought he was scary, but it didn’t take long for students and parents, alike, to discover him to be a kind, caring teacher with a quick wit – who loved to joke with his students and encouraged all to do their best. His students consistently excelled academically.
He loved sports of all kinds. He was a good player in his youth and a great coach as an adult. He believed that all kids who wanted to play sports should be allowed to play as much as possible. He helped develop an intramural basketball program in the Safford schools, and coached baseball, basketball and football.
In his later years, he was able to focus more fully on serving his Savior. He loved serving in the Gila Valley Temple and wanted to spend as much time there as he could. He shared his feelings about the Savior quite often with his children and grandchildren. He wanted them to know of the importance of staying close to God and living their lives accordingly so they could experience true joy.
He leaves behind: his wife of 62 years, Ann; his children, Marty (Joanne), Lann (Charlene – deceased), Terri, Mary, Jeff (Nicole), Lars (Maggie), Hal (Stacy), and Sarah (Terry Ray Knight), 39 grandchildren, and 38 great grandchildren (with 8 more on the way)
Funeral services for Loryn were conducted Saturday morning, August 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the Thatcher Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Justin Echols of the Thatcher Fourth Ward. Concluding services followed in the Central Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
