Johnathan Patrick Moore

June 17, 1951 -

May 26, 2020

Johnathan Patrick Moore passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Lake Havasu, Ariz., on May 26, 2020. Those who knew him would say he was a loving husband, father and grandpa as well as one of the hardest working men they knew.

John was born in Big Rapids, Mich., to Donald and Dorothy (Burden) Moore on June 17, 1951. He went to school and worked on the family farm until being drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War in 1970. During his two years of service, he received six awards including two bronze stars and a Purple Heart.

After his military service, he worked his way across the country until finally settling in Alaska in 1973. He was self-employed doing anything from gold mining to real estate. It was real estate that led him to meet the lady that changed his life, Melanie Poulsen. They were married in 1984 and had their only child, Annie, in 1986. Together, they built a home where anyone was welcome, whatever was broken could be fixed and there was always enough room at the table. John could always be found in his shop fixing something. He had many skills and shared them with everyone he knew. He worked hard to provide for his family as an equipment operator eventually retiring both Civil Service and for the IBEW.

In 2008, his wife, Melanie, passed away. He went on to marry Elizabeth McKee and together they fulfilled his dreams of building a home and life on their 80 acres in Nikiski, Alaska, and later including a winter home in Arizona. Their winter travels took them all over the country, and in the summers, they built up their Alaska property which became home for John's favorite event of the year - Fish Camp. In his later years, John's greatest loves were his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth McKee; daughters, Annie (Luke) Leavitt, Melissa McKee and Stephanie (Dean) Schwin; grandchildren, Kyndal Leavitt, Hudson Leavitt, Judah Leavitt, Cooper Leavitt, Sylena Schwin and Josiah Schwin; stepmother, Ann Bedes; and siblings, Kathy O'Neil, Dorothy Heath, Jerry Gebhardt, Douglas Moore and Angela Druckman; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Bridge of Hope in Chugiak, Alaska, on July 25, 2020, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow.