David Kent Moore, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on January 8, 2024 at the age of 74. His battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in his final months showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile and a joke. Despite his loss of function, Dave came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. He will be sorely missed, and his absence in our lives will be felt every day.

Dave grew up as a small-town farm boy in Spring Lake, Utah. His love of all things cowboy, including riding horses, working on the farm and in his yard, and spending time outdoors continued throughout his life. He graduated from Payson High School and also earned an Associate’s degree from Stevens-Henager College of Business. Education was very important to him.

As a young man, Dave met Gae Lanette Thayn at a college dance. They fell in love and were married on December 3, 1971, in the Manti Temple. Over 51 years together they raised a family that included four children and fourteen grandchildren. He was an amazing father and grandfather who never missed a birthday party, sporting event, school play, graduation, wedding or performance. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with family.

David was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He held many callings and faithfully served anywhere he was needed.  The callings that brought him the most joy were serving as an ordinance worker in the Payson temple and being a missionary. At 19 he was called to serve in the Australia East Mission covering Sydney and surrounding areas. Later, he and his wife, Gae, served as couple missionaries in the Mesa, Arizona mission. As a member missionary, Dave fellowshipped many families in his wards and neighborhoods over the years and did so by forming sincere friendships and extending love to those around him.

One of David’s greatest strengths was his work ethic. For over 30 years he worked for Nebo School District but also held down two or three additional jobs to support his family. Despite this, he didn’t take life too seriously. He was a prankster and a tease. When not working, he could be found tending grandchildren, riding his favorite horse, Caesar, watching old westerns, building things with wood, fixing things around the house (only to make them worse) or taking grandkids on rides to the old Crest gas station in Payson for a Bug Juice and a grab bag.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Gae, his children, and their respective spouses. Teresa (Korry) Jordan of Springville, Utah. Margie (Jerry) Jordan of Spanish Fork, Utah. Mindi (Jason) Tuckett of Nephi, Utah, and Kenton (Leslie) Moore of Caudrot, France, 14 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his siblings Terrell Moore, Gordon Moore, Kayleen Beebe, and Joy Lynn Benson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alva Jefferson Moore and Ellen Maxine Moore.

David’s family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Central Valley Medical Center in Nephi, Utah as well as his amazing neurological team in the Neuro Acute Care Unit at University of Utah Hospital for showing our father love and care during his final days. As David would say, “Keep the faith.”

A funeral service will be held Monday, January 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1125 North 400 East, Nephi, Utah. A short visitation will be held at the same church that morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. We are also honoring our dad’s wishes by not holding a formal viewing. Instead, we will be celebrating his life with a visitation on Sunday, January 14 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah.

Interment will be in Vine Bluff Cemetery, 1200 North 400 East, Nephi, Utah.

The funeral service will be streamed live. Please return to David's memorial page shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024, and click on the link below.

David Kent Moore Funeral Service