Colonel Howard Ray Moore, U.S. Army (Ret.)

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Colonel Howard Ray Moore, U.S. Army (Retired) and former Wichita Public Schools administrator, of Wichita, passed away on Monday June 15, 2026, at the age of 89. His death follows that of his wife of 66 years Margaret (Hornecker) Moore, who passed away 15 days earlier on May 31, 2026.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Howard spent his life rooted in service to his faith, family, country, and community. The son of Bill and Wanda Moore, workers at Beech Aircraft Corporation, he grew up in Mulvane with his two older sisters and younger brother. He attended the Mulvane Brethren Church, and at Mulvane High School he participated in the Hi-Y, FFA, football, track, the glee club, chorus, and a school play. During his high school years, he worked at the local movie theater, running the projectors, sweeping the floors, and developing a lifelong affinity for popcorn. Following graduation, he worked at The Boeing Company and Cessna Aircraft as a mechanic, while continuing his education, earning a B.A. from Friends University (1960). In the years that followed he earned post-graduate degrees from Wichita State University (M.Ed 1971 and Sp.Ed. 1976) and Oklahoma State University (Ed.D. 1989).

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960 and was sent to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. Later in life, he proudly recalled that he never returned…until he flew in on a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter more than 30 years later as a full-bird Colonel. He retired in 1996 after years of exemplary military service including serving as the Comptroller for the 89^th U.S. Army Reserve Command (Wichita), Inspector General for the 102^nd U.S. Army Reserve Command (St. Louis), and Assistant Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Reserve, Third Region ROTC Cadet Command (Fort Riley).

Concurrent with his military career, Howard dedicated himself to education. His first teaching positions took him to small Kansas high schools in Bennington and Dennison. He joined the Wichita Public Schools in 1965, and during his tenure held positions ranging from typing and driver’s education teacher to high school assistant principal junior highs including Truesdell, Hamilton, and Robinson Junior High Schools, and at East and Southeast High Schools, where he retired in 1997. Throughout his professional career, Howard’s colleagues and students recognized his dedication to his jobs and his characteristic “tough love” approach.

In February 1960, Howard married Margaret Hornecker. They built a family and home together in west Wichita. He and Margaret were active members of the Goddard United Methodist Church, where Howard held numerous leadership positions over the years.

In 2001, Howard became a doting grandfather who never missed an opportunity to photograph his granddaughter and cheer her on as she excelled in school and pursed her education.

In retirement, Howard served on the board of directors of Starkey, Inc., a community-based nonprofit serving people with disabilities. He also tried his best to help care for Margaret’s gardens, primarily by not stepping on or mowing over the flowers. He enjoyed long road trips, Pepsi, sunflower seeds, ice cream, and never turned down sweets.

He is survived by sons, Troy Moore (Jacqueline Guajardo), Michael Moore (Joni); daughter, Sheryl Moore; grandchild, Isabella Guajardo-Moore; and brother James Moore. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Hornecker); parents William “Bill” and Wanda Moore (1987 and 2002, respectively); and sisters Miriam Dennett (2003) and Willa Wulz (2014).

Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary, and funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 22, 2026, also at the mortuary, with burial to follow with full military honors at Resthaven Cemetery. Services will be live streamed and available to view by clicking on the “Watch Funeral Service” button below.

Memorial has been established with: Meals on Wheels, c/o Senior Services of Wichita, 200 S. Walnut Street, Wichita, KS 67213 or online at https://giving.myparishsoft.io//app/giving/WeShare-20001694?tab=home.

“Learn as much as you can from those who know more than you, who do better than you, who see more clearly than you.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower