Riley Moore

September 4, 2012

Riley E. Moore, brother of Helen Moore Gilpin, was born Oct. 13, 1914, in Topeka, to Riley R. and Birdie O. (Greenough) Moore. He died of complications from prostate cancer on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at 97 at his home in Lacey, Wash., with his family around him.

Riley had two siblings, George (deceased) and a sister, Helen, 96, currently residing in Iola. Riley spent his early childhood in Topeka and Chicago, where his father worked as an advertising and marketing manager for Capper Publications.

Riley attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence from 1932 through 1937 where he studied pre-medicine and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

In 1935 he married his long-time sweetheart, Winifred Rafter, whom he had known since grade school. Their only child, Riley R. Moore II, was born in 1936. 

Riley was employed with the International Harvester Implement Company from 1937 until his retirement in 1974. Riley worked in the Overseas Division of International Harvester in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1951-1955) and manager in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1955-1963). Leaving Brazil, Riley and his family returned to Chicago, working in the corporate headquarters of the Overseas Division until his retirement.

After retirement, Riley and his wife settled in Corpus Christi, Texas, and traveled extensively throughout Central and South America, especially enjoying spending their winters in the Manzanillo, Mexico, area.

With the death of his beloved wife in 2011, Riley moved from Texas to Lacey to be near his immediate family. He is survived by his sister, Helen Gilpin, Iola; his son, Riley R. Moore II and wife, Patricia Ann (Powers) Moore, Lacey; his grandsons, Walter Jacob Moore and Riley R. Moore III and wife, Anna Knudson, their children, Riley James Moore and Patrick Lars Moore, and several nieces and nephews, including Joan Gilpin Golden, Lawrence, and Ken Gilpin and Jim Gilpin, Iola.

Woodlawn Cemetery of Lacey handled funeral arrangements and cremation. Riley’s wishes were that his remains along with those of his wife be scattered on the Bay of Corpus Christi.