Melvin Moore

Melvin Moore, 96, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Great-Great-Grandfather, Friend, Mentor, Role Model, and exceptional Entrepreneur entered eternal life on Saturday, March 24, 2018. Anyone having the privilege to call Melvin one or more of the above is truly blessed. His extraordinary journey began on November 15, 1921 in Lancaster, Ohio when his parents, Alvin and Anna Moore welcomed him into the world. The youngest of 3 boys, Melvin learned a strong work ethic from his father that he not only carried with him, but also passed down to future generations. He graduated from Lancaster High School in 1940. He later attended The Ohio State University and was a member of their diving team under celebrated coach, Mike Peppe. Melvin earned (and sometimes lost) many fortunes over the years, but his greatest treasure has always been his wife of 74 years, Joan (Bigham). Melvin married his high school sweetheart in 1944 before leaving to serve in the US Navy until the end of WWII. They later settled down in Pennsylvania. Upon the birth of their first son, Tom, they returned to Lancaster where Melvin and his uncle ran the city’s first used car dealership on 6th Avenue. A fortuitous meeting with Harry Suhren in 1950 led to Melvin purchasing a traveling Penny Arcade that he took to local fairs throughout the area—a career his youngest son, Jon, and his family would later continue. Five years later, Melvin expanded his involvement in the amusement industry by becoming partners and general manager of Kiddie Land, a children’s amusement park located in Huron, Ohio and the largest of its kind in the country. With the profits from these ventures, Melvin purchased the former Giesey estate, including its 9,000 sq. ft. horse stable. It was then that his dearest daughter, Molly, was born and also where his next venture began. Here, in the ensuing years, Melvin and his family raised and bred nearly two dozen quarter horses, including the Grand Champion stallion, Poco Man. From there, he formed and operated the Moore Leasing Company. Always the innovator, he took a 1956 Lincoln and mounted it to the top of a pole and painted it to advertise his business. It remained an iconic monument on the north side of town for many years to come. Little did he know that his next calling would lead him no further than the other side of the little brook that ran behind his home. Melvin, along with his eldest son, Tom, began investing in real estate in the late 60’s and went on to develop the city’s first affordable multifamily housing complex, Little Brook Estates. This enterprise became what is today The Windsor Company, a real estate development company that spans three generations. Throughout his life and career, nothing brought Melvin as much joy as the love for his family and his passion for business—save, perhaps, one thing—his sport fishing boat, the “Golden Olive”. Melvin and Jo felt just as at home on the sea—and the Golden Olive was their address. Sailing and fishing the waters of the Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico was where Melvin searched for peace and tranquility on this earth. Today, his family finds solace knowing that he lived a truly remarkable life, feels blessed to have been a part of it, and is comforted knowing he has finally found true peace and tranquility.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Anna Moore; brothers, Glenn and Clark; and his son, Jon (Sue) Moore. He is survived by his son, Thomas (Nancy) Moore; daughter, Molly (Brad) Heck; grandchildren, Benjamin (Jill) Moore, Brian (Elizabeth) Moore, Hollie (Mike) Williams, Jon (Jessie) Moore, Jr., Justin (Robin) Matheny, and Matthew Matheny; 13 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and countless friends.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 29, 2018 in the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel, 405 N. Columbus St., Lancaster, OH 43130. The family will also receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private internment will take place at Forest Rose Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent c/o Frank E. Smith Funeral Home, 405 N. Columbus St., Lancaster, OH 43130.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to FairHoPe Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, OH 43130, or First United Methodist Church, 163 East Wheeling St., Lancaster, OH 43130.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.