Memorial Adjournment
John Thomas Moore
1934 – 2025
John Thomas Moore, a dedicated Orange volunteer and conservationist, will be fondly remembered for his ingenuity, generosity of spirit, and devotion to nature and his community. John was born on July 6, 1934, in San Diego to Earl Aberdean and Effie Nancy (Black) Moore. After losing his father at a young age, John, his sister Lilian, and mother moved to Long Beach, where he graduated from Wilson High School, excelling in baseball and tennis and developed a lifelong love of tinkering with cars and boats.
Following graduation, John began work as an engineer at Douglas Aircraft, but duty called when he was drafted into the United States Army. He served two years of active duty and two years in the reserves. While stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, he met Marilyn Druneker at Georgia Southern University. They married in September 1958 and eventually settled in Orange in 1963, when Chaman Avenue was still a two-lane street bordered by orange groves. John resumed his engineering career, ultimately working at Aeronutronics while completing college courses at night and on weekends.
In his free time, a nature enthusiast, he loved outdoor activities and would often be found hiking, rock climbing, organizing sports, camping, and leading Boy Scouts on new adventures. A voracious reader, he could quote Shakespeare and long passages of poetry, he delighted in classical music, and had a passion for travel.
In retirement, John dedicated himself to planting native species – especially oak trees – along the Santiago Creek.
Week after week he carried gallons of water, planted seedlings, removed invasive plants, and picked up litter, ensuring future generations would enjoy a thriving natural habitat. He also enriched the cultural life of Orange as a behind the scenes contributor to the Orange Community Master Chorale and actively participated in many civic projects. He truly lived by the credo, “It is amazing what can be accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.” John is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son David (wife Elena); daughters Susan (husband Mike) and Sharon; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The Orange City Council extends its deepest condolences to Marilyn and the Moore family and honors the remarkable life of John Thomas Moore, whose tireless environmental stewardship and civic contributions have left a lasting imprint on our community ; and adjourns this meeting in recognition of his enduring legacy of service and love for the natural beauty of Orange.
Dated this 28th day of October 2025.
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Daniel R. Slater, Mayor
Denis Bilodeau, Mayor pro tem Arianna Barrios, Councilmember Jon Dumitru, Councilmember Kathy Tavoularis, Councilmember Ana Gutierrez, Councilmember John Gyllenhammer, Councilmember Draft