Clarence Wayne Moore

“My genius, giant brother, Wayne, is no longer with us. Wayne was always a head taller and 100 hundred pounds heavier than me. At the age of 2 1/2 Wayne miraculously survived 3rd degree burns over three-fourths of his body. This was due to our Mother’s round-the-clock loving and constant care coupled with the fact that Wayne’s body size was that of a six year old! Wayne was two and a half years older than me; yet, he allowed me to tag along with him. We shared many adventures together. Wayne taught me practically every card game “according to Hoyle.” We played baseball, basketball, football, softball, paddle ball, ping pong, miniature golf, bowling, duck pins, stick ball, pool, pin ball, and a myriad of other arcade games and activities together. While living on Long Island, New York we built a massive snow fort together during the Thanksgiving Blizzard of 1950. Relocating to Central Florida in 1952, we enjoyed salt and fresh water fishing, going to Daytona Beach’s Boardwalk, building Model Airplanes, collecting stamps, together. Wayne taught me many board games: “Go to the Head of the Class” (as adults, we both became educators); “Rich Uncle” (as adults, we both became Stock Brokers); Chess competition began at age six (as adults, we both excelled); and many other stimulating board games. Wayne, along with Bobby Cross, Jackie Billingham, and Dewey Ramsay served as Umpires for my Little League Baseball games. After which, Wayne and Dick Pechin (Bonnie’s and Bunny’s older brother) played an entire ‘season’ of Ethan Allen’s All-Star Baseball Board Game with Wayne computing statistics for all players’ results! We would later play several ‘seasons’ together—rainy days and after dark into the wee hours... Wayne became a member of a Rocket Club after the Sputnik surprise and was elected President of the Science Club. He was a Chem II assistant to Dr. Bender at WPHS and assisted Dr. Helwig in teaching Freshman Chemistry at Rollins College. Wayne played Tackle on WPHS Varsity Football Team, was a member of the Track Team (Shot Put), and graduated with a “Rigid Academic” Diploma while working part-time at the Golden Point Hamburger Stand. Wayne was elected as “Master Councilor” of the WP Order of DeMolay. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and worked as a Computer Expert for IBM. We served as each other’s “Best Man” for our initial weddings. Wayne was an active Church Member and translated parts of the Bible from its original Greek! Wayne’s marriage to Bonnie Boone lasted some 48 plus years! Wayne and Bonnie were living together on the 100 year old Moore family Ranch in the Texas Hill Country at the time of his death. Wayne was put to rest in the Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas on February 8, 2018. He is survived by Bonnie, and their two daughters: Mary McCrady and Penelope Moore and his brother, Randy Moore.” Submitted by: Randy Moore (WPHS Class of 1964) Wayne’s brother.