Gerry Elvin Moore 88 of Sun City Arizona passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026 at Hospice of the Valley Surprise Arizona, with his family by his side.

Gerry was born May 7, 1938 to Ross Moore and Ruth Iona Garmon. His family resided in Moulton, Iowa where Gerry attended school. He graduated in 1956. He was very active in basketball, baseball, lettering all four years, the yearbook staff, Eagles Scream, the student newspaper, organizing the Senior trip & "King of Hearts."

In his spare time he worked at his parents cafe serving up many milk shakes to his friends. He also liked to play his guitar with his buddies in a small band in southern Iowa.

After graduation his brother, uncle, brother-in-law & nephew taught him how to shear sheep & would travel thru Iowa, Missouri, North & South Dakota.

In 1960 Gerry won the Des Moines State Fair Shearing Contest. CBS got word of his winnings and invited him to be on "What's My Line" in New York City, Arlene Frances guessed his occupation.

Gerry continued shearing sheep. In the spring he met Dorothy Pauline (June) Adams in 1957. They were married May 24, 1958 in Centerville, Iowa. While there he managed a bowling alley. Bowling on several leagues he averaged over 200. Gerry & June were divorced on May 5, 1975.

Gerry Met Karen (Young) Hancock. They were married March 2, 1979 in Greeley, Colorado and she is surviving along with Children; Tammy Burgher (husband Wade), Terry Smothers (Chad), Jason Moore & step daughter Shellie (Hancock) Baker (husband Terry), 5 grandchildren: Tyler, Matthew (wife Emery) Zac, Taylor & Tanner Smothers along with 9 great-grandchildren & many nieces & nephews.

Gerry was a good friend as you visited with him you were guaranteed a thoughtful conversation combined with lots of smiles and laughter. He was a (GEM) who will be deeply missed by all.

In Colorado Gerry along with his father-in-law (Earl Young) owned & ran a sheep shearing business. He employed 25 to 30 people to shear in Greeley, Colorado for 9 months and then traveled to the west slopes of Colorado, Utah & Wyoming to shear the mother lambs before the birth of their babies.

When Gerry first started shearing, he sheared 18 head in 8 hours. The most he sheared in 7 1/s hours was 256 head and his fastest time for 1 sheep was 36 seconds.

Gerry entered the "National Western Stock Show" sheep shearing contest in Denver Colorado. He won the contest in 1976, 1977, 1979 & 1980 and also the World Shearing Contest. Men came from all parts of the world to compete.

In 1988 his family moved to Glendale, Arizona. He was employed by Lund Cadillac a division of General Motors. He retired in 2009 as the "Facility Maintenance Supervisor"

Gerry was preceded in death by his father Ross, his mother Ruth, brothers Vernon and Verdean, sister LaVonne Bolin & their spouses. Also his father-in-law Earl Young and mother-in-law Clara May Seibert.

Capable, devoted & just ornery enough to keep you smiling, Gerry lived fully, loved fiercely and leaves behind a life well built.

Gerry you have your wings, your job is done on earth. Go rest high on the mountain, listen to Dolly Parton sing "I Will Always Love You."

His arrangements and cremation were handled by Menke Funeral & Cremation Center. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Moulton, Iowa & Sun City, Arizona.