Frank D. Moore

Frank Dwight Moore, lifelong Cleveland area resident, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2003 at his home in Cleveland at the age of ninety-three years, eight months and twenty-eight days.

Frank was born July 31, 1909 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. He was the son of Louise May and Emery Moore. Faith in the fledgling oil industry had brought the Moore family to Cleveland in 1905. Frank helped his father move oil tools while attending junior high but didn't follow in his father's footsteps. While attending high school, Frank began working for the local dry cleaners.

Upon his graduation from Cleveland High School in 1927, Frank continued working in the cleaning business and started his own business with Jack Bartlett, Service Cleaners in 1929. During the next few year, Frank established a plastics company with Jay Hill which manufactured many food service items and also worked as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company. Additionally, he obtained a franchise for the twelfth Western Auto Associate Store in the United States which he operated for a few years. Frank is best remembered, however, for operating the Moore's Cleaner at 121 South Broadway from 1949 until 1974.

Frank was married to Vance Barlow from Hominy on April 15, 1934 at the Pawnee Christian Church. The couple had two children, Patsy and Gary. Frank's dedication to his community was obvious in participation in local organizations and clubs. He helped organize and served as president of the first Junior Chamber of Commerce in Cleveland. He was a past president of the Rotary Club and form officer of the Cleveland Area Chamber of Commerce. He spent many years as a member of the Cleveland School Board and served as chairman of many fund drives. Frank was elected to the Board of Directors of the Indian Electric Cooperative in 1943 and began his term January 1, 1944. He was elected by fellow trustees to serve as the board's secretary-treasurer and held that position until 1988, when he was elected president. He continued to preside until his retirement from the board in 1990.

Vance preceded him in death on July 14, 1976. At Cleveland's first big multi-class reunion, which followed Vance's death, Frank renewed a friendship with his former classmate, Ruth Powelson Saunders and they were united in marriage on October 16, 1981.

At the time of his death, Frank was the oldest member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was received as a member at the age of fourteen in the late summer of 1923. During the next eighty years, Frank served in numerous capacities in the church including assistant Sunday school superintendent, trustee of the Session and as an elder. Additionally, he assisted in the maintenance of the church's Estey Pipe Organ for many years.

He was extremely proud of his yard and spent countless hours working in the flower beds and maintaining his lawn. He loved to fix things and even if he didn't have the part needed, he would make one that would work. Frank continued his community spirit throughout his life, assisting with the delivery of Meals-On-Wheels at the age of eighty-five.

Frank is survived by his wife, Ruth of the home; daughter and her husband, Patricia and Rudy Kesner of Geneva, Illinois; son and his wife, Gary and Carol Moore of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two stepsons, Gene and Joann Saunders and Jim Saunders, all of Phoenix, Arizona; six grandchildren, Craig Kesner of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Krista Williams of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keith Kesner of St. Charles, Illinois, Jeff Moore of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Brent Moore of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Greg Moore of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and ten great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife, Vance, he was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Loren Moore.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 1, 2003 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Natalie Ford officiating. Burial will follow at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Frank D. Moore at www.chapman-black com.''