Lester Gibson Moore

9/9/1928 – 2/2/2021

Les was born in Van Buren Arkansas to Lester Louis Moore and Beulah Gibson Moore, the first of 9 children. He grew up in the Great Depression, joining the United States Navy at age 17. He had to gorge himself on bananas to make the minimum weight. He went through boot camp in San Diego CA. He was a Seabee that served 5 years during the Korean War Era, being stationed in Guam and the Aleutian Islands. He was discharged from the Navy at Pt. Hueneme CA as a Petty Officer Second Class. He returned to AR for awhile, before returning to CA. He met Lou Dell Hart while they both worked at Lockheed in Burbank. They were married in 1952.

Les was a hard worker and always frugal with the goal of being financially successful. When he made financial decisions, he would say he did it for his wife and daughter. 1956 was a big year for Les. He began working for Flying Tiger Airline, the largest freight airline in the world. He also bought his first 563 acres of land in AR. As any Southerner knows (remember Scarlett in “Gone With the Wind” realizing that land is everything) land is the only thing that is forever. His intention was to retire on his property in AR one day and for the land to remain in his family for generations to come.

Les and Lou’s only child, Poppy, was born in 1957. Les earned his A and P and A and E licenses, and worked in the Flying Tiger Engine shop. He studied at Pierce College in CA for 2 years. In 1967 the family moved from North Hollywood to Thousand Oaks, where he lived in 2020 when his home was sold by his court appointed conservator/ guardian and he was placed in a Group Home.

Les became a Grandfather (“Opa”) at the age of 47 and was thrilled to have a grandson, Trever. He played cars with him for hours and when Trever was old enough to play baseball, Les made a point to attend all of his baseball games the season Trev lived in Thousand Oaks.

Over the years, Les made frequent trips to AR, raising cattle on his land and growing and baling hay. He continued to acquire property in AR. The plan was always to retire in AR. He intended to leave “Pruneville” as he referred to CA (one of the nicer names). He was happiest in AR. On the gate to his 563 acre property was a sign that proudly said “Moore’s Palace.”

At the end of the 1980s Flying Tigers sold out to Federal Express. Les continued to work for Fed Ex until his retirement in 1994. Lou passed away on Dec. 2001. Les and Lou had their wishes clearly expressed in their Family Trust in 1993. After the death of his wife and his onset of dementia he was taken advantage of by a woman he met at a grief support group. She went so far as to have an attorney to join forces with her, change his Trust and to empty many accounts. Unfortunately the Probate Court became involved and ignoring the wishes as set forth by the Moore Family Trust, a Private Guardian was appointed over him and his assets. He was kept in a state he never intended to retire in, away from his entire family in NV and AR. All of his property was sold by the guardian, hundreds of acres and five homes.

Isolated from his entire family Les Moore died alone on Feb. 2, 2021 in CA.

Les was predeceased by his parents; his siblings David, Gayle, Bill, Mary and an infant; his wife, Lou, and his granddaughter, Pamela Joy Helgren.

He is survived by his daughter Poppy Helgren; grandchildren Trever, Bonnie, Heath, Heather, Hayden, Hunter, Holden, and Leah; great grandchildren Brandon, Taia, Ian (born on Les’ birthday), Isla and Adrian. He is also survived by his siblings Carl, Butch and Betty Jo.

Palm Mortuary will handle arrangements.

As of the writing of this obituary, 23 days after his death, his body has still not been released for burial. Very sad indeed.

We must stop the abuse of Guardianship. FreeLesMoore@aol.com

Elizabeth A. O’Hara, 84, a long-time resident of Las Vegas, passed away February 23, 2021 in the comfort of her own home. She was born February 12, 1937 to the late Mary Paul and Richard Howard in Cork, Ireland, and was preceded in death by her husband, Richard O’Hara; and her brothers, Richard, Jack, and Hugh Howard. Elizabeth is survived by her stepdaughters, Margaret (Charles) Summers, Maureen O’Hara, and Dee (Robert) Drye; nieces, Christina Drye, Lisa Drye, and Dorothy Ann Russin; nephews, Richard Summers, John Summers, John Howard, Kevin Howard, and John C. Howard; and grandson, Robert Drye. Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a. m. Wednesday, March 10, at St Viator’s Catholic Church with burial following at Palm Eastern Cemetery.