Obituary of George Harry Moyer

George Moyer passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at the Masonic Home in Union City, California. He was 92 years old. George was the first born of two sons to George and Ethyl Moyer in Stockton, California. His parents eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California where George attended local schools. His mother taught him the piano and percussion that developed into a life-long passion for music. While attending Santa Cruz High School, George became the Drum Major for the Cardinal marching band. After graduation from High School in 1941, George and his father commuted to NAS Moffett Field and worked to support the war effort. At the close of the war, George became an escrow officer for Penniman Title Company in downtown Santa Cruz. He attended the First United Methodist Church young adult group where he became enamored with his future wife, Dusty (Bessie Ritter). They became husband & wife on August 29, 1946 and had two children. For most of George's career, he worked for the County of Santa Cruz in a variety of capacities. During the 50's, he also volunteered for the Civil Defense Agency and helped bring Santa Cruz back to normalcy after the 1955 flood in the downtown area. He worked for the County Assessor and Public Works Department as an Appraiser and Draftsman, an Assistant Planner & Interim Director of the Planning Department and, finally, with the County Employment Department as an employment and career counselor. His continuing education efforts throughout his career, resulted in attaining a Ph.D in Social Psychology. In addition to his avid love for RV'ing, camping, fishing, woodworking & household projects, George was very active in his church including the choir and a variety of church committees & groups. He became a member of the Santa Cruz-San Lorenzo Valley Lodge #38 in 1945 and was active over the years as Past Worthy Patron, was a recipient of the Hiram Award and served as the Secretary of the Lodge, as well as the Property and Building Manager. Additionally, George developed and spear-headed a Masonic Lodge community program which offered incentives, in the form of new bicycles, helmets and locks, to elementary and middle school students. For many years, George also served as Secretary for the Surf City Kiwanis Club and was active with the Boys and Girls Club and Salvation Army. George's ever-ready smile, sense of humor, charm and optimism stayed with him throughout his life and will be missed by those who knew and loved him. George was very much a family man and included his children, grand kids, and great grand kids in all of the activities he loved. George leaves behind his beloved wife of 69 years, Dusty, his son Steve (Carolyn) Moyer, daughter Bev (Kevin) Vogel, granddaughters Alison (Brandon) Niizawa, Erika (Sal) Sanchez and Holly Moyer, great-grandchildren Emma & Tanner Niizawa and Levi Sanchez. George is preceded in death by his parents, George Sr., and Ethel Moyer and his brother Tom Moyer. Private interment will be at Santa Cruz Memorial.