George Moore, longtime auto dealer and Springfield resident, died July 25, 2023, after a brief illness. He was 95.

Born Sept. 11, 1927, George Herbert Moore Jr. was the oldest of four sons of George "Dinty" Moore Sr. and Beulah Quinlan Moore of Lawrence, Kan. George graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was discharged in 1947 after serving in the Philippines.

Returning from the service, he attended the University of Kansas and then followed his father into the car business. George operated car lots and bought and sold cars and trucks wholesale for more than 50 years, becoming a familiar figure at auto auctions across the Midwest.

George and Barbara Jean Glover married July 12, 1952, at Pleasant Hill, Mo., and made their home in Lawrence. They had two daughters. George and Barbara later divorced. George and Iris Ann Gardner married Sept. 12, 1984, at Miami, Okla., and made their home in Springfield. Their union lasted until Iris' death Jan. 11, 2018.

George enjoyed flower gardening, trips to farmers' markets and spending time outdoors, including hunting and fishing. He was a lifetime member of the Elks and a patriot, always proud to fly the flag.

An independent sort, George wanted it known at the time of his passing, "I did it my way."

George was preceded in death by his brothers, Mark "Bud" Moore, Robert "Bob" Moore and Allen "Al" Moore.

George is survived by his daughters, Deborah Ellsworth (Dennis) of Grain Valley, Mo., and Pamela Moore of Kansas City, Mo.; his stepdaughter, Roberta "Robbie" Roop of Springfield; his stepson, R.D. Underwood of Muskogee, Okla.; his granddaughter, Melody Murphy (Cody) of Kansas City, Mo.; step-grandsons, Dustin Underwood (Crystal) of Van Buren, Ark., and Levi Underwood of Tulsa, Okla.; and step-great-grandsons, Noah Underwood and Evan Underwood, both of Van Buren, Ark.

Additional survivors include three nieces, Sue Allen "Chic" Katherman of Mexico, Melonie Sullivan of Lawrence and Brett Graham of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a nephew, Martin Moore of Lawrence; and cousins Bill Hilton and Wayne Tallant of El Paso, Texas.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with a graveside service at Friday, August 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to a favorite charity.

The family extends special thanks to Tammy Stephenson, the Murrell family and Jonell Williams for helping George live independently until recently. We also thank the staffs of Springfield Rehabilitation and Health Care and CoxHealth Hospice for their compassionate care. Finally, we thank Bob Smith, Gene Barnes and Jim Osborn for their faithful friendships, as well as the friends' group at Steak 'n Shake on Campbell.