With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Arthur Clifton Moore, 80, of Upland, CA. He was a much-loved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Art left this world peacefully surrounded by the love of his family by taking God’s hand on August 22, 2024.
He was born in Maxwell, Nebraska on April 27, 1944, to the late Clifton and Ethel Moore. Art leaves behind his wife, Olive, of 40 years; his siblings, Allan (Jean) Moore of Hamilton NJ, William (Margie) Moore of Pahrump NV, and Renee (Steve) Fielder of Blue Hill NE; his 1st wife, Jalene Duggan; his children, Kevin (Angela) Moore, Kristina (Randy) Simmons, Kelly (Marionette) Moore, Syndee (Tony) Davis by marriage, and Melita (Steve) Crowell by marriage; his grandchildren, Diana (Nick) Swavely, Aaron (Ashley) Moore, Amanda (Derek Walsh) Moore, Natalie Moore, Marc (Liana) Moore, Lincoln Moore, Taeler Moore, Jessica (Jonathan) Dominguez, Kaylee (Carlos) Bedoya, and Broedy Crowell; his great-grandchildren, Noah, Micah, Levi, James, Caleb, Joshua, Eliza, Johannah, John, Josiah, Rebekah, Mercy, Alexander, Margaux, Mathias, Malachi, Sylvie, Ada, Chloe Jo, Jethro, and Elliyanna. Besides his parents, Art was preceded in death by two sisters: Elaine and Betty, and his granddaughter, Lindsey.
Art grew up on a small farm near Gothenburg, Nebraska.
He attended a small elementary country school but drove into town for high school. He especially enjoyed his welding class in his senior year which was the beginning of his lifelong career as a welder and successful owner of Claremont Welding in Montclair, California for over fifty years.
Shortly after high school graduation, Art married his sweetheart Jalene Brown. They lived near Omaha briefly but soon took advantage of an opportunity to relocate to Southern California. It was here they raised their three children.
Having grown up on a farm, Art learned to work hard. Besides working long, hard hours as a welder, Art pursued being a private aircraft pilot. Through the next few years, he purchased and restored airplanes that were damaged and needed to be rebuilt. The family enjoyed flying back to the Midwest to visit family and vacation in Baja Mexico. He also had a passion for Model A Fords.
He had a Tudor Sedan while still in high school and once in California, he bought parts and pieces at swap meets, built chassis, and sold them using the money to buy more parts and pieces.
Unfortunately, in1981 at the age of 37, Art was on his way back from a worldwide air show in the Midwest and crashed in his airplane due to bad weather and instrument failure resulting in a spinal cord injury that left him a paraplegic.
Art has always been known for his persistence and determination and he was determined to succeed even from a wheelchair and that he did.
Three years after his accident, Art met Olive at church. They dated over the summer of‘84 and married in September. It was definitely a match made in heaven.
Olive enjoyed flying and being involved with Art in the car clubs. He was a member of the Pomona Valley Model A Club, Santa Anita A’s, Orange County Model A Club, Four Ever Four Club, and the Model A Touring Club.
All that knew Art would agree that he lived his life to the fullest. More than anything, Art loved spending time with his family and friends. He found pleasure in rebuilding Model A’s and even racing a speedster he built, often taking 1st place in competitions. Especially after he retired, he enjoyed helping fellow car enthusiasts work on their cars and sharing his knowledge and experience.
Art was known by all for his never-ending storytelling.
Most were “back on the farm” remembrances.
Grandkids and great-grandkids loved listening to his childhood experiences.
Art had a strong faith in God. Art and Olive attended Hillside Community Church and he especially enjoyed participating in the Generations Bible Class. He always gave God credit for helping him through tough times and for his accomplishments.
Everyone loved Art. He has left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His boundless energy inspired so many to accomplish things they had set aside or projects they were hesitant to tackle.
May his memory live on in the hearts of those he touched. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
There will be a celebration of life at the Hillside Community Church, 5354 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA September 25, 2024, at 1:00 pm.