Passing of a Friend - Stephen Moore - Avid Miniature Painter

[Guy]

Stephen Moore​

Artist – Painter - Marine​

Blanchard, Oklahoma


​

It’s always sad to announce the passing of a friend and we don’t always know what to say. So I decided to say what I was feeling.

This morning my good friend, Steve lost his 10 month battle with cancer and died at Comanche Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma.. He was survived by his wife, Kaye Moore, a son, two step-sons, two step-daughters and six grandchildren. But I can’t leave out his faithful four-legged companion through all of this, Jimmy-Joe, his dog..

Steve was born in Oklahoma on August 24th, 1951, and when he was 17, he lied about his age to enlist in the Marines to serve his country in Vietnam. Steve was wounded in Vietnam and was returned home to heal. Steve has a degree in Art & Advertising he earned from Okmulgee Tech after discharge from the Marines. Steve went to work for the State of Oklahoma, Department of Corrections and retired there in 2000. Well, 22 years wasn’t enough for Steve, so he turned around and went to work for Oklahoma Correctional Industry for another 10 years. Steve retired once again last year, and he and his wife Kaye moved into their new home in Blanchard that had a two-room studio for Steve to pursue his love of painting Military Miniatures. Right after the move, Steve was diagnosed with cancer.

Steve was a crusty old soul when I first met him, but after the veneer wore down and I got to know him, I found him to be one of those friends of a lifetime, solid gold. His love for the hobby was our common ground that a beautiful friendship was built around. He wouldn’t let many people see past the hard as nails exterior he kept up but once you did, or I should say, he let you, you had a friend for life.

Any man who would dig up the graves of his old pets he had for years and move their remains to his new home……well…..that makes me proud to call him my friend. A real softy at heart.

I posted Steve’s work here on the planet because Steve and computers didn’t get along too well. It used to really please him to see photographs I took of his figures on PlanetFigure when he visited the next time.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm at:

Wilson Little Memorial Home
127 South Canadian Street
Purcell, Oklahoma
73080-5899
405-527-6543

Burial Services will follow right afterwards.

 

[Steve]

Meet you on the high ground, Buddy.--

 

[Kreston]

Sorry to hear of his passing.

Kreston

 

[alexwencho]

My condolences and in my prayers. Stephen Moore R.I.P.

alex wence

 

[gordy]

Thank you Guy, I realize this is never easy news to deliver.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those left behind. Although it is hard now to move forward, may looking back in memory help comfort those tomorrow.

 

[Steve]

Stevie Moore was one of the absolute best unrecognized painters I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He was constantly striving to improve and left no stone unturned in his efforts to meet his own impeccable standards. His art degree showed in every piece he finished, sometimes to his regret. I would point out something that just did not look right to me on one of his figures and he would say in his Purcell drawl, "You aren't an artist, how the hell would you know?" and of course (sigh) he was absolutely right. Damned few in our community knew Steve so few will really mourn him. I will, probably every day henceforth. --

 

[megroot]

Will you give my condolances to the familly.

Marc

 

[Bluesking]

I was so sorry to hear of Steve's passing having met him in Atlanta a few years ago. His suffering is over and for that we must be thankful but for losing a friend ...... Adios Amigo.

 

[Jamie Stokes]

Guy,
condolences for the loss of your friend, and to his family,

best wishes

 

[Sambaman]

I count very few people as true influences to me in this hobby, but Steve Moore was certainly one. Not only do I consider him responsible for getting me started with figures in earnest, he is the guy who gave me the first couple figures I ever painted. I didn’t say sold, I didn’t say suggested or recommended, I said gave me. After getting to know him about 9 years ago at a local model club meeting and expressing my desire to learn more about figure painting, he showed up at the next meeting with a 120mm figure of General Patton, a Legends & Lore piece if I remember correctly. It was already started, but he said to me he wasn’t going to finish it, and he would love to see what I could do with it. Well, I promptly finished that figure, and was just tickled to show him the results. Shortly after that he gave me my first bust, again, I said gave. Yes, Steve Moore was directly responsible for my obsession with collecting and painting busts. It wasn’t even 2 years after I met him and after countless conversations seeking his painting expertise that I finished that bust and took it to a show our local club was holding. I’ll never forget, it was an IPMS regional show in Oklahoma City. He had several beautiful pieces displayed, including his Andrea Napoleonic of an Imperial Guard Grenadier Officer bust, one of my all time favorites that he ever painted. I was told the judging for best figure that day came down to that piece, and the bust I brought that he gave me. I only mention here that I won because of what Steve came up to me and said afterward, he grabbed me by the shoulder and said, “Well grasshopper, you’ve snatched the pebble from my hand, the student has surpassed the teacher.” He was right, his excellent tutelage was absolutely key to my success as a figure painter.

Steve never tired of the constant questions I had, or the sage advice he was willing to dispense. That is the thing I’ll remember most about Steve. Despite his crusty exterior, Guy described that perfectly, Steve’s passion for figure painting was second to none. And his willingness to offer help or enthusiasm was always evident. He always had a “paint-off” he would try to enlist with me while at the Tulsa club meetings. Ever since that show in Oklahoma City, he was bound and determined to paint the same figure I was so we could compare the results. His blazoned enthusiasm made me laugh, allot, and for that I’ll remember Steve. Steve Scott mentioned Steve as one of the best “unrecognized” painters out there, and he is right. Little issues that stymie other painters and cause frustration, were the fuel for Steve’s passion to push through projects he was attempting. He was constantly excited about the next conversion or painting challenge he had dreamed up. The hobby has lost a true enthusiast in Steve Moore. My thoughts are with his family in this, the hardest of times. I know he’s looking down as I write this, drinking a beer, tweaking that mustache of his and saying, “stop blathering on and get to painting grasshopper!”

Jay H.

 

[Guy]

So true Jay. I don't think I have ever known another figure painter with the enthusiasm that Steve had toward the hobby and helping anyone who needed help.

In a couple of weeks I will print off this thread and give a copy to Kaye so she can realize how much people thought of Steve.

 

[sam b]

Truly sad to hear this news!!!

 

[Kevin D.]

Guy,

I met Steve through you and for that, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I truly enjoyed talking with him and did some trades in which it was obvious that, in the hobby, a win-win trade for him meant that he knew I was pleased with the trade.

I never experienced that 1st round of gruffness….just found him to be a genuinely NICE guy….truly someone to enjoy being around.

As to generosity… imagine my surprise, when, after one of our deals (negotiated through you and your computer, thank you LOL ) I got a box of figures in the mail at my home in Austin with a note saying that these were growing in his grey army and I should enjoy them and perhaps help out someone in the new club we had recently started.

This was a man that I truly enjoyed knowing and an example of how to live this life.

My best and deepest condolences to Kaye.

Kevn DeLashmit

 

[bed172]

Steve will definately be missed. I know he wasn't able to attend a club meeting in quite a while and I missed him there. I never really found him gruff, maybe a little rough around the edges but he was always happy and usually had a funny story. I know when Jay was at the meetings there did seem to be a friendly compitition between the two of them. Steve had a different painting style and was the only one I knew using enamels to paint his figures. But I always thought his figures were well done and he definatly had fun painting them, and thats what its all about anyway. I'm sorry I won't be able to attend the funeral, my apologies to his family. I'm sorry he had to leave us so soon. My condolences to his family.

 

[Meehan34]

I will sure miss that crazy Steve. I always liked walking into the meetings and seeing Steve there becuase you knew you were going to have a good time. He was always willing to help me out when I first started and never pulled any punches. He is one of the three guys that I really looked to for honest critique and straight forward help. Stevie will be sorely missed by everyone.

 

[Dr Force]

I did not know him but all i can say is my sympathy and thoughts go to all his friends and loved ones.

God Bless you all

 

[John Bowery]

Our sympathy and thoughts go to all his family and friends and loved ones. Our prayers are with you all.
John and Maureen.

 

[Mike Davidson]

Steve was a great guy and friend! I will miss his smiling face and enthusiasm for life. My sympathy and thoughts are with Kaye and his family. Mike

 

[Iron Major]

It has been my honor and pleasure to call Steve my friend for the last 10 years.
We first met at an IPMS meeting in OKC. I instantly admired his wonderfully painted figures and his choice of subjects. Steve and I hit if off right away when we discovered that we both are Marines. Steve right away encouraged me to “come over to the black art” of figure painting and stop building the flying machines. After several months of his encouragement/prodding I attended my first figure meeting in Tulsa with HMSNEO. I have been hooked ever since.
Throughout the years Steve patiently encouraged me, dispensed technical advice, and provided inspiration. He was always quick to laugh and enjoyed the comrade of fellow painters immensely, and he was generous to a fault. He gave me his entire Andrea acrylic paint set after he got frustrated using them.
Most of all Steve possessed the warrior’s spirit. This was never more evident than during his battle with cancer. He faced his battle with strength and courage to the end. I will miss you my friend.

Semper Fi,

Ben