Donovan Moore
Dr. Donovan Moore, retired Wichita Public Schools Elementary Principal peacefully passed away December 11, 2020.
Donovan was born in Carter, Oklahoma, son of Dee and Ruth (Easter) Moore. Donovan moved to Wichita, KS in 1959 for his first teaching position after graduating with a B.S. in Education from the University of Oklahoma. He married Miriam Joyce Klingman of Wichita, KS in June 1960. Donovan continued his Education receiving his Master’s in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO and later completed his Doctorate in Education from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Family and friends know Donovan as a life-long learner and a tireless volunteer in the community. He loved to travel and explore his curiosities. Spending time with his family was his greatest passion. His numerous hobbies included staying healthy through swimming and running, including the New York City Marathon in 1993. He had a special Caramel Corn recipe that he shared with friends and loved ones between Halloween and Christmas. Donovan had a positive impact on so many lives and inspired others. Donovan’s relationship with Jesus, and his Church was central to how he lived. He was a person of deep faith and a believer in anything being possible.
He served the Wichita Public School USD 259 for 35 years. Teaching at Gardiner, Stearman, Brookside, Fairmont and Waco Elementary. Serving as Principal at Eugene Field, Fabrique and retiring from Sunnyside Elementary in 1994.
Donovan is proceeded in death by his siblings: Clarnelle (Moore) Brant, Myrna Dee Moore, David Easter Moore. He is survived by his wife of sixty years of marriage, Joyce of Wichita; his three children, Jane Moore, Lone Tree, CO, John (JP) Moore (Nancy), Wichita, KS, and Paul Moore (Angie), Wichita, KS; and his five grandchildren, Patrick, Madison, Makenzie, Allison, Megan; and one great grandchild, William.
Memorials have been established with East Heights United Methodist Church, Wichita, KS and McCormick School Museum (USD 259).
Services will be held at 1 p.m. at Downing & Lahey Mortuary Wednesday December 16th. Live streaming of the service is available by clicking "Watch Event" below.
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Donovan was a pillar of the church as well as a really fun guy to be around. He will be missed by many of the lives he has touched.
Sorry to hear of Donovan’s passing, your grief and sorrow. He/family lived across from us on Ponderosa. Wonderful man, family and neighbor. Many good memories of him … peace be with you all.
Donovan knew no strangers, he always spoke to you like a good friend. He and Joyce kept East Heights’ children hopping, their parents feeling special. We have missed Donovan’s presence at the church, as well as Joyce’s. I hope they know a chapter of the church’s history should reflect they were a huge part of that family. Love and warm hugs, Peggy, Tony, Stacy, Corby and Eric Savaiano
Wonderful memories of many years of Mr. Donovan helping with VBS at East Heights. He was a favorite of the little kids and always so caring and compassionate. We’ll miss him. Rebecca, Keith, Evan and McKenzie Snell
JP, Nancy and family – Sending all of you our thoughts, prayers, love and virtual hugs on the passing of your Dad and Grandfather. Rick & Lori Hilts
My sincere sympathies to the family of Dr. Moore. I was a teacher at Fabrique for two years and was lucky enough to have Donovan as my principal. What a grand leader. He was responsible, warm and kind. We would run into each other in later years and always enjoyed that reunion. What a wonderful human being. Our planet will be less joyful with his passing. Thank you for sharing part of his life with me. I consider myself very fortunate for that. Sincerely. Tom Frye
PS. I just saw we shared the same birthday. That must be the reason for our kinship. I will always remember Donovan now on our birthday.
This wonderful man had a huge impact on my family at Stearman Elementary. He was my teacher and a great friend to my parents. I looked up to this man more than I ever expressed to him. He always had a smile when for everyone. We have lost a truly great human being. Peggy Redburn Hayes
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Dear Joyce and family, I am so very sorry to hear that Donovan passed away. He was a wonderful man and all I have to do to see his smile and hear his voice is close my eyes and open my heart. Donovan gave so much to East Heights and the children and families of USD 259. he was a blessing to all who knew him. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Janice Buselt
We are Kent and Lori Thomas of 2131 Tee Time Court here in northwest Wichita. Donovan and Joyce were our next door neighbors for twenty years, and they were sure great. Both of them were congenial, helpful, and pleasant. Donovan and Kent sometimes shoveled snow a few yards apart at the same time. Donovan and Lori had many a fun conversation about our gardens and his. We knew he was a dedicated runner, husband, citizen, and professional educator, and we always admired him. Our neighborhood took a loss when he and Joyce moved into Larksfield, and we join Elona Ruffo, and other neighbors, in paying tribute to Donovan. We are grateful for his neighborliness and we regret being unable to attend the service today. May you all be comforted by knowing what a fine person he was. –Lori and Kent Thomas, 721-5404
Dr. Moore was my principal at Sunnyside Elementary. One memory that always comes to mind when I think of him is that every December, on the last day of school before Christmas break, he would step into each classroom to wish us Merry Christmas and announce that we didn’t have to return to school “until next year!” Of course, for just a moment, all we students would grow excited until we realized he was only joking and he meant January. He loved doing that! He was always smiling and always so kind. He will be fondly remembered, always. Heather (Wells) Johnson
This makes me smile. He took every opportunity today that statement. – Jane, Daughter
Mrs. Moore, I remember you as Miss Klingman, my second-grade teacher at Stearman in 1959-1960. And your husband to be then became my sixth-grade teacher at Stearman. My name is Neal Pfeiffer. You and your husband are teachers that I have remembered all these years later. You provided a solid foundation for my education in a very caring environment. I watched the online service and am so glad to see that you have such a loving family. It as I would have expected. And I expect that you and your family will continue to share this love with others. Peace be with you. ….. Neal
I shared this with our mom. She was glad to hear from you. – Jane, Daughter
After working with Joyce at Rea Woodman Elementary in the late 1980’s, I had the honor of meeting Donovan. He was fun to be around and always knowledgeable about so many subjects. I know that he had a great impact on educational community in Wichita and that you could never count up the number of lives that he touched. Many hugs to Joyce – I miss you my friend.