Leonard Moore
courtesy photo
Leonard Moore
STEVENSVILLE — Leonard was born in Pablo on May 29, 1926, to George and Fern Moore, the oldest of three siblings.
He had a long and adventurous life in the Big Sky country; he grew up in the Flathead, Blackfoot, and the Swan valleys.
On Dec. 11, 1943, at the age of 17, he married Ethel Minster. In 1944, he took his new bride and a team of geologists, via horseback, into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, where they spent their summer. He would transport rock samples out and bring supplies back in, moving camp as they studied. Leonard also worked for his parents, George and Fern Moore, as an outfitting guide and packer in the South Fork of the Flathead and Glacier National Park.
He and Ethel raised four daughters together: Mary, Marjorie, Sharon and Janice. The early years were spent in Perma where he worked for the highway department and the Forest Service remount station. Later the family settled on the ranch in Pablo where they raised beef cattle, horses and ran a dairy farm. In 1968 the ranch was sold, and the family moved to Superior where Leonard went into logging. He was later injured and decided to go to school, where he received his forestry degree. During his time with the Forest Service he was transferred around Idaho and Montana, eventually retiring in Condon.
Over the years Leonard worked in many trades: as a logger, a rancher, a dairy farmer, a school bus driver, a sheriff posse, a search and rescue individual and as a forester. There were many more hats that he wore, but his love and knowledge of horses and the wilderness were his passion. He mastered training horses, hunting, and fly fishing.
Leonard enjoyed entertaining everyone. No one was a stranger. He had many stories to tell and he loved sharing his cowboy poetry. His legend will live on with his Moore Cowboy poetry books and his huge family that have many stories to share.
The last leg of their journey was spent in Stevensville with his loving granddaughter, Cherie and her husband, Steve Cassidy
He is survived by three daughters, Marjorie Sager (Butch), Sharon Lopau, and Janice Wheeler; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 19 great great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends and colleagues.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Ethel; an infant daughter, Marsha Ray; his daughter, Mary Christman; his son-in-law, Butch Sager of Colville, Washington.
Leonard just rode into Heaven tonight; he started the fire that’s burning bright. May good friends and family come riding in, tie up their horses and the party will begin. Songs will be sung, stories will be told, and Ethel will be there to have and to hold.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Marcus Daly Hospice or the Upper Swan Valley Historical Society.
For an online guest book please visit: www.brothersmortuary.com.
