Frank Moore, a lifelong resident of the Wood River Valley, passed away on Friday, April 6. Frank was born Dec. 25, 1920, in a small cabin at Triumph mine where his father worked. After living for a short time in Mackay, Frank's family moved to a home on Broadford Road south of Hailey, across from the Minnie Moore Mine. Frank spent the remainder of his childhood there and graduated from Bellevue High School in 1938.
From these humble beginnings, Frank's life took many exciting turns.
After high school, Frank worked at the newly opened Sun Valley resort as well as in several mines, until he was drafted into the 9th Infantry Division during World War II, where he trained as a sharpshooter. His company landed on Utah Beach in Normandy and fought its way through the hedgerows of France, the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and the Hurtgen Forest, and participated in the capture of the Remagen Bridge over the Rhine River in Germany.
In January 1946, while he was returning to the states from Cherbourg aboard a troop carrier, Frank's ship was disabled and nearly swamped by a rogue wave. Rudderless, adrift and without food for nearly a week, they were feared lost before eventually being rescued off the coast of the Azores by the carrier USS Enterprise.
Frank's adventures during the war kindled his excitement for more travel, and after spending a year at the University of Idaho, he moved to Switzerland to attend the University of Basel and then to Washington, D.C., where he graduated in 1951 from George Washington University with a degree in foreign service. His goal at that time was to become a diplomat, but after working in D.C. for a time, he realized his true home was in Idaho. He moved back in 1948 and began working again at Sun Valley, first as a bellhop, which he always said was his favorite job. It was there that he met his future wife, Shirley, who was working as a cashier at the Inn.
They married in July 1953 and resided on Warm Spring Road for many years. In 1968, with a growing family of three children, they moved to a ranch on Broadford Road, not far from where Frank grew up. Frank aptly named the ranch Bend of the River Ranch, and the family enjoyed many adventures and experiences of the ranching life. Frank continued to work at Sun Valley in various capacities until his retirement in 1986.
Frank and Shirley enjoyed many travels and adventures together, including countless trips throughout Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean. He loved the Wood River Valley more than any other place, though, and enjoyed hiking into lakes, climbing mountains, boating on Redfish, fishing and photographing the beauty around him as well as spending many hours woodworking, creating and puttering at his home on Broadford.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many; for his lively sense of humor, his humility and his strong and generous spirit.
Frank is survived by his wife, Shirley, of nearly 59 years; sons, Gary Moore of Boise, Randy (Ramona) Moore of Seattle; daughter, Terri Moore of Hailey; and his three beloved grandchildren, Sean Schupack, and Courtney and Riley Moore. He is also survived by two nieces, Mary Seekins and Charla Moore of Burbank, Calif. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary, and his brother, Charles.
Graveside services will be held Friday, April 13, at 1 p.m. at the Hailey Cemetery under the care of Wood River Chapel.
You may share your own thoughts and memories by visiting www.woodriverchapel.com.
