Thomas Moon

On Saturday, August 3, 2019, Thomas Charles Moon, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 79 at his home in Delton, Michigan. Tom was born on April 1, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan to Thomas Lloyd Moon and Alice June Moon. He grew up in Plainwell, Michigan, where he was called "Tommy" by all who knew him. An avid scholar-athlete at Plainwell High School, Tom excelled in both the classroom and in football, basketball and track. Tom was also a committed member of the Boy Scouts of America, where he was a member of the Order of the Arrow and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Tom graduated with a BS degree from Kalamazoo College, a MS degree from Oberlin College and a PhD degree from the Michigan State University. He taught at the high school and university levels for nearly 35 yearsmost notably at California University of Pennsylvania from 1969 until his retirement in 2002. On August 17, 1963, Tom married Marylyn Lucille Lindsey of Delton. They raised two sons, Matt and Ted. Tom was a born teacher with a passion for sharing his love of the natural sciences with his students. He taught thousands of students over the course of his career and was widely revered by his pupils and peers for his approachability, patience, knowledge and friendly manner in and out of the classroom. He was also an excellent researcher and author or co-author of peer-reviewed papers that served as reference guides for future researchers in the area of water conservation. Tom shared his strong tenor voice as a member of church choirs in southwestern Pennsylvania and later, in Plainwell once he and Marylyn retired and moved to the Lindsey Farm in Delton. He also sang at many funerals and weddings. Tom had a love for antique automobiles, the outdoors and crime novels. But it was his love of God, his wife, his children, grandchildren, sister, nieces and nephews, other family and friends that shone most brightly. Tom was preceded in death by his father Tom and his mother Alice. He is survived by wife Marylyn, sons Matt (Courtney) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Ted (Emma) of Houston, Texas. Also surviving are grandchildren Laney, Eli, Nathan and Saoirse, sister Jolene (Dan) Minor and sister-in-law Eileen (Bill) Wooer. A remembrance service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, 303 E Bridge Street in Plainwell at 10:30 AM. The family asks that donations be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 303 East Bridge Street, Plainwell, Michigan 49080 (269-685-5990) or to the Rainbow of Hope Farm (for developmentally disabled adults), 1951 County Line Road, Kingsley, Michigan 49649 (231-263-HOPE).