Royce Kirby Moore

         


November 15, 1939-October 12, 2026

Royce Kirby Moore was born on November 15, 1939, on Kaigler Hill in Maxwell, Texas, to Grayford and Minnette Clark Moore. He was the third of five children and began working in a cotton gin at age 15 to buy his first car.

      Kirby attended Lockhart High School and graduated from Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University) in 1963 after transferring from Baylor University when he and his wife, Dorothy, were expecting their first daughter, Karen. Kirby worked for Gibson’s in Waco and Port Arthur for many years, then joined the Texas Department of Transportation, where he worked until he retired in 1999.

     Kirby and his beloved wife, Dorothy Schaefer Moore, were married for 59 years and 11 months. Together, they loved riding around in the car, and even visited all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. Kirby was a proud Christian. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a child, and his faith remained a foundational part of his life. He and Dorothy were members of the Little Green Church of Martindale.

Kirby had a servant’s heart and a deep sense of belonging with his neighbors. He was especially grateful to Linda and Roy Ornales for their friendship and help as he and his wife grew older.

      Kirby was a dedicated family man, a caring son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. His two grandchildren were his greatest joys. He enjoyed traveling, nature, car and yard work, and watching the birds that visited his bird feeders (far more than the squirrels). He was deeply patriotic and loved the United States. He also loved the Chicago Cubs and cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

     He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Grayford and Minnette Clark Moore; and his siblings Bettie Moehring, William Ross Moore, and Sharon Voudouris.

      He is survived by his daughter Karen Moore Freeman, husband, Tod, and grandson, William Alexander Freeman; his daughter, Robin Moore Lewis, and granddaughter, Rachel Catherine Lewis; his brother, Lynn Moore, wife, Sharon; and his cousin, Bill Clark, wife,  Anne.

     Kirby passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, October 12, 2026. We celebrate Kirby’s life and are thankful for the time we had with him. We rejoice that he has eternal life through Jesus Christ, and that we shall meet again. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Little Green Church of Martindale, PO Box 552, Martindale, Texas 78655.

     A memorial service will be held at The Little Green Church, 308 Bowie St.,  in Martindale, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, beginning at 11AM. 

     Arrangements in care of McCurdy Funeral Home. Please visit www.mccurdyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book.