Malcom E. Moore

Malcom E. Moore, 88, of Batesville passed away peacefully at home Friday, March 15, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Violet McRae Giller and Graham Moore; his brothers, Owen Moore and John Walter Giller; and his wife of 55 years, Edith McMillan Moore. He is survived by his brother, Don Moore, his son Shelby Moore and wife Beatrice, and his grandsons, Barrett Moore and wife Sara, and Christopher Moore. Malcom was born June 24, 1924 in Muskogee, Okla. He grew up in El Dorado. After graduating from high school in 1942, he joined the Navy serving as a pilot and an Aviation Radioman 2nd Class. Malcom was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wake Island in the Pacific theater. In 1946, he moved to Batesville to attend Arkansas College, now Lyon College. While there, Malcom met Edith McMillan and married her on April 30, 1950 at the First United Methodist Church. After graduation, he continued what became 55 years of service to his country at the Infantry Officer Training School in Fort Benning, Georgia. Malcom was a U.S. Army Reservist from 1949 to 1950 and then became an Arkansas National Guardsman. He remained in the Guard until 1977 with a final rank of Lieutenant Colonel. From 1977 to 2000, Malcom was the State Director of the Selective Service System. He was awarded the Presidential Meritorious Service Medal, the Arkansas Commendation Medal, the Adjutant General's Outstanding Unit Commander Award, and the Selective Service Meritorious Service Award. After graduating cum laude from Arkansas College, Malcom worked as an assistant to the college president and in the admissions department. Malcom also attended the George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville. Later he held jobs as a school bus driver and teacher in the Cave City schools, and then as principal at Eastside Elementary School in Batesville. Malcom left that job to sell cars for Stanley Wood Chevrolet. In 1955, he purchased an insurance company which became the Malcom Moore Real Estate and Insurance Agency. Malcom owned and operated this business for more than 50 years. During that time he served as president of the Batesville Board of Realtors and the Batesville association of Insurance Agents. Malcom was a collector and historian. He was the president of the Arkansas State Historical Association and a member of the Arkansas State Review Committee for Preservation of Historical Sites. He was active in the Batesville community, serving on the city council, city planning commission, and parks and recreation commission. He was a member of the Arkansas College Board of Trustees and also served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Batesville. A dedicated member of First United Methodist Church, Malcom worked on various committees and was a member of the Progressive Sunday School Class. Pallbearers are: Christopher Moore, Barrett Moore, John Moore, Scott Wood, Dale Cole, Chaney Taylor, Phil Farris and Dr. Greg Neaville. Honorary pallbearers are: Jim Barnett, John Belew, Ken Bolton, Charles Cole, Sam Cooke, Dr. Robert "Lit" Craig, Preston Grace, Norman Harkey, Don Hedden, Eddie House, Howard House, Bill Hughes, Dick Kinser, Pat Lea, Max McElmurry, G.G. Rutherford, Doyle "Rog" Rogers Jr., Jack Stevenson, Robert Stroud, Dr. Bob Walton, Paul H. "Rocky" Willmuth and Stan Wood. The Moore family would like to thank Virginia Pruett for her love and devotion. Special thanks to Malcom's caregivers: Linda Daniel, Wanda James, Emma Keever, Sherrie King, Barbara May, and all past caregivers. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, March 18 at the Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at First United Methodist Church in Batesville with Reverend Bob Burton officiating. Interment will be at Oaklawn Cemetery following the service. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 615 East Main Street, Batesville, Ark. 72501. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.