Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat ??“ From Me!

Feb 18, 2006

Tribute to Loren Moore

Carol Roach

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Loren was born in the 1930??™s in East Texas. He combed the woods as a young boy and hunted squirrels, rabbits, and possums.?  By the time he was 10 he was a professional tour guide, or so he said.?  You see Loren was a teller of tales. He took the truth and added a lot of flavour. The end result was plain ole country magic. More fiction than truth, his wife Johnnie would say.

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According to his memories, he became a professional trapper by the age of 13.?  Round about that time he also became a professional hunting guide as well.

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We all remember his stories.?  His love for East Texas, where he lived with his beloved wife Johnny shone through in almost every story he wrote. Whether his stories were actually true or not, no one could deny his love for Caddo Lake, ? ? hunting, fishing, his wife and family and little fox his dog; though not necessarily in that order.? 

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According to Loren, he was working in the East Texas oil fields by the ripe old age of 15.?  ???HE WOULD CLIMB TO THE TOP OF A 120 FOOT OIL DERRICK AND DO THE THINGS OTHERS FEARED TO DO.???

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He was an electrician for the Gladewater School Board by the age of 16.?  That experience was short-lived. He almost started a fire in the school.?  By the time he was 17, he travelled the state as a top notch salesman.?  

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Our Jack of all trades settled down long enough to get married.?  Johnnie and Loren were married on November 14, 1951 and were together until the day of his death ??“ Feb 3, 2006. ? 

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The newlyweds started their family right away. Susan was born while Loren was still 19 and his second daughter Angela was born four years later.?  During that period he held many jobs, from sales clerk, to truck driver, and assembler to dozer operator.? 
Loren??™s final job began as an assembler in the general motors plant. He worked his way up to general manager of the paint department before his untimely retirement. Loren was stricken with multiple sclerosis. ? 

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Even though his body may have broken, his spirit was as strong as ever.?  During his early years of retirement he continued to fish and enjoy a wonderful social life.?  For the complete story look up ???The Life and Times of Loren Moore, published in Pearlsoup, Storytime Tapestry, and Starfish.? 

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I first met Loren, through Starfish.?  I enjoyed his wonderful stories, many of which made me laugh.?  Loren began to write to create memories for his great-granddaughter which spilled over into creating memories for all of us.?  He joined Pearlsoup in 2002, the year before I was introduced to the soup.?  Imagine my surprise when I met him there as well.?  

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We began to email each other after I joined Pearlsoup on April 6, 2003. He sent me some of his books. Like Bob Johnston of Starfish, he encouraged my writing and often remarked how I did not get 5??™s.?  He could not understand why not even one pearl was rated a 5.?  He said it was a joke and a shame at the same time. He had a theory for it of course, but this is not the time or place to mention it ??“ suffice it to say he enjoyed my work and was a loyal reader.?  

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The favour was returned one hundred fold.?  On Sept 1, 2003, I stared my own newsletter with three main writers, myself, Loren Moore and Joe Mazzella.?  Loren gave me all of his stories to start me out.?  For that he became my chief writer and co-founder. Later on, he became a moderator for Storytime Tapestry.?  

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Oh there were a few jealous people in those days, complaining about how Loren and Joe always got top billing, but you know what I didn??™t care, both of these men deserved it.?  

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Once Loren became moderator I spent many a night laughing and joking around with him and Kathy Baker, also a moderator at the time.?  I will always cherish these memories.?  It was a good time in my life and I looked forward to those emails and fun times with
friends. Loren was wheelchair bound by this time and writing was his life.?  As a writer I can certainly appreciate that.?  Writing is my life too.?  

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Loren decided to move on in March 2005.?  He decided he no longer wanted to belong as a member of Storytime Tapestry. Yet his legacy lived on. People from around the world missed his wonderful stories.?  

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I received news a few months ago through Kathy Baker and Clara Westerfer that Loren was very sick.?  Not much was known about his illness.?  His family preferred to keep it quiet.?  I found out that he was hospitalized and came home in worse condition than before.?  All that was known was that he was not expected to fully recover.?  The family had asked that no one email. They didn??™t want Johnny over burdened with emails at a time when she was most vulnerable.

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It was Clara Westerfer (my moderator), who advised me of his death.?  I immediately alerted Storytime Tapestry members, pearlsoup, and Bob Johnston of Starfish.?  I notified Betty King. However she had heard about it through the MS group that both Loren and she belonged to.?  Other people notified other newsletters that he wrote for.?  

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I do not know exactly how many friends he had throughout the world, but I do know it was in the thousands.?  Pearlsoup,
Storytime Tapestry, Starfish, and many other newsletters unite in praising this very special man who crept into the hearts of so many.?  Bob Johnston has run Loren??™s stories all week, and Pearlsoup and Storytime Tapestry members are presenting their own personal tributes.?  Loren is gone now but he will never be forgotten. His story will continue to entertain his great granddaughter and people all over the world for many years to come.

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Carol Roach

winterose@videotron.ca

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A Native of Montreal, Quebec, Carol is a graduate of Concordia, and McGill University.?  She holds a bachelor in psychology and a Masters in counselling psychology.?  Carol Roach is a published writer and newsletter editor.?  You can purchase her book: Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey at www.publishamerica.com, or www.amazon.com.?  You can also go to your local bookstore and order it there as well.?  Carol??™s second book: Angels Watching Over is currently looking for a home. Stay tuned for details.? 

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If you are interested in other stories feel free to join her newsletter: Storytime Tapestry at: http://subs.zinester.com/98907 , or email her directly at winterose@videotron.ca and she will be glad to accommodate you.?  Carol enjoys email and responds to every inquiry.