Gary Wayne Moore

Gary Wayne Moore, better known as “Pistol,” 83, of Surry, VA, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025, at home in the care of his loving wife Roberta “Bobbe” Moore and son David Moore.

He was born in Auburn, NE on December 17, 1941 to Leland Moore and Beulah (Augabright) Moore who farmed near Nemaha, NE. He and his older sister Myrna were the only two of five children to survive infancy. Gary’s mother  died when he was 10 years old, and Leland married Myra (Minnick) Moore, who would become a beloved step-mom. Gary spent much of his life in rural Nebraska. He attended the Rosefield District #71 school (RFD 1, Auburn, NE) through 7th grade before entering Nemaha High School (Nemaha, NE). As a boy, he rode his horse to school, and his mother had given him a pistol for shooting game on the way home. He checked his gun with his teacher during the day, but on the way home, he shot rabbits for supper. It earned him the nickname “Pistol,” and fostered a lifelong love of guns, hunting, collecting, and target practice with his kids with pop cans on the fence posts. Gary loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing on the Missouri River, collecting arrowheads from an old Indian burial ground on their farm, and even riding in the rodeo circuit in Wyoming. In the 1960’s, he trained for Survival Preparedness with the Education Civil Defense to identify aircraft flying over the family farm. Gary attended Peru State College (Peru, NE), majoring in Industrial and Physical Technology and competed in football and track.

 While dating a girl, he felt compassion for her roommate with a broken ankle, so began carrying her books to class. He married that roommate “Bobbe” on June 9, 1963, and they had four children: Mary Ann, David, Brian and Johnny. Gary loved working and being outdoors. During his early married years, he served as a first mate and steersman on a barge on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers (1958-1973). Coming back to the family farm, Gary could be heard whistling from the tractor out in the field. The family grew soybeans, corn, wheat and hay, while tending cattle, pigs, chickens, and rabbits. And acres of garden produced food for the family. Gary farmed during the day and worked night security for the American Foods Meat Packing plant near Rockport, MO (1973-1977), and also for Cooper Nuclear Power Plant (1981-1986) near their Brownville farm. In 1986, Gary made a huge life change and lived in a camper in Arnold, MD while earning a Health Physics and Industrial Technology degree at the Institute for Research Management. He began work at Surry Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 as a Junior H.P. doing decon work (1986- 2005), and the family moved to Surry, VA in 1989. At age 64, Gary chose not to retire but continued working as a forklift operator at Windsor Mills, Dendron, VA (2005-2012), and at night as a temperature regulator for the Edwards Ham Shop in Surry, VA (date?). He continued working into his 80’s as a Maintenance Ranger mowing for Chippokes Plantation State Park, a job he thoroughly enjoyed (7/2012 – 2024).

 Gary had a fantastic love of gardening, drying and starting his own seedlings in a greenhouse. He grew much of the family’s fresh produce and loved giving away extra to friends and family. Bobbe canned and preserved the bountiful harvest, while also making fresh creamed corn and fruit jellies. Gary is survived by his wife Roberta “Bobbe” Moore and they were active members of Smithfield Assembly of God church. 

Gary is survived by his children: Mary Ann (Moore) Martz and husband John Martz of Nixa, MO; David Moore and wife Dawn, of Mertztown, MD; Brian Moore and wife Cindy of Lincoln, NE; Johnny Moore and wife Donielle of Windsor, VA, along with 5 grandchildren: Whitney (Martz) Klein of Ozark, MO; Jonathan Martz of Springfield, MO; Michael Moore of Dover, DE; Royal Moore of Windsor, VA and DeAndre Moore; 5 step-grandchildren: Corbin, Morgan, Leland, Kyemani and Kaylanna; and 7 great-grandchildren: Beckham, Harper, Sloane, Brighton, Dallas, Ethan and Easton. 

Gary loved to collect miniature tractors, farm equipment, old cars and trucks, and Nebraska Cornhusker memorabilia, as well as beautiful turkey feathers. While on the farm, he enjoyed taxidermy and had many trophy animals on display in their home. Gary will always be remembered for his kind smile, soft heart, love in telling a good story, and his faithfulness in working hard for his family. He can still be remembered saying “Yup, yup, yup!” 

Gary was preceded in death by his father Leland Moore of Nemaha, NE; mother Beulah (Augabright) Moore, Nemaha, NE; step-mother Myra (Minnick) Moore of Nemaha, NE; and sister Myrna Moore of Lincoln, NE.

 A funeral service will be held on Saturday August 2, 2025, 11 a.m. at Smithfield Assembly of God Church, with burial to follow in Old Brick Church Cemetery, Bacon’s Castle. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at church.

 Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com