Floyd Bryan Moore

Floyd Bryan Moore 4 Oct 1934 – 3 Apr 2018 Floyd Bryan “Sonny” Moore was born 4 Oct 1934 in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, only son of Floyd Julius and Opal Barnett Moore. He died at his home on his beloved 6J Ranch on Tuesday, 3 Apr 2018. He married his wife of 63 years, Maryann Rizzo Moore on 7 November 1954 in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. They are the parents of son, John Floyd Moore, and daughter, Donna Marie Moore Albert. He attended grade school in Edge, Texas and Bryan ISD until tenth grade when he dropped out of school to work full-time. He loved to reminisce that he was earning more than the superintendent of schools at the time he chose to leave public school. Later, that same administrator would persuade him to enter Sam Houston State University as an agriculture major. He ultimately completed one and half years of college education in meat processing before focusing, again, on his work career. During his tenure at SHSU, he was a member of the ROTC. Due to his financial support of SHSU, he was honored to be named a member of the SHSU President’s Club. His illustrious career spanned an incredible 72 years as he entered the workforce in his father’s auction barn at the age of 12. By the age of 14, he was auctioneering professionally. At various times, he owned and operated thirteen Texas auction houses. In conjunction with his auctioneering career, he bred and raised cattle from 1960 until 2010. He was a master at locating pasture land all over the United States to maintain fed cattle. They were ultimately sold to wholesale meat markets. During that same time period, he had opportunity to buy and sell thousands of acres of pasture and ranch land which often funded his cattle operation. In 1980, he entered the paint horse business. The industry now acknowledges him as one of the top paint horse breeders in the world. As stated by the APHA, “he built an equine empire, an operation known for its colorful tobiano cow horses with the blood of the renowned mare Delta flowing through their veins.” His horses have literally been sold world-wide as well as across the U.S. He was honored to learn he and his wife will be inducted into the American Paint Horse Hall of Fame, a coveted honor rarely made by the association to a breeder. Additionally, he was awarded the Humanitarian Award from the Texas Quarter Horse Association in 1982. Always committed to youth interested in agriculture, he helped establish and has supported the Walker County Youth Rodeo, youth rodeos in all counties his auction barns served, as well as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. On more than one occasion, he provided a horse to a neighborhood youth that had learned to rope by practicing on a tree stump and had no further way to progress in competition. He was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Evelyn Moore Maples and Joann Moore Strickland; and daughter-in-law, Paula Ellis Moore. He is survived by his wife, Maryann Rizzo Moore; son, John Floyd Moore of Franklin, Texas; daughter, Donna Moore Albert (fiancé, Andy Martinez); sister, Sherry Lyn Moore Walker (James Ricky Walker), Corpus Christi, Texas; sister-in-law, Roseann Rizzo Brown (Jack Brown), Conroe, Texas; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends both locally and around the world. Serving as pallbearers will be Don Henderson, Roy Brown, Bobby Miller, Luke Rizzo, Dean Lewis, and Charles Sims. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Rizzo, Tony Mandola, Wilbur Dickerson, John Rothwell, Steven Imhof, Jack Brown, and John Jones. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the APH Foundation in Floyd’s honor at apha.com/foundation/aphf-donation-form or by mail to APHF c/o Director, Laura Jesberg, P.O. Box 961023, Fort Worth, TX 76161. Funds will be used by the Foundation to expand the scholarship fund established by the Moores or to promote national youth APHA events. The family wishes to express grateful appreciation for the ministry and support provided by Father Fred Valone and are thankful to the chaplain and staff of Traditions Health Care of Conroe for the excellent care they provided. Special thanks are extended to Tiffany, Vicki, and Sarah for their exceptional service to Floyd and the family. Visitation will be held in the chapel of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, 6 Apr 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with rosary to follow. Funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1323 – 16th Street at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 7 Apr 2018. A private family burial will be conducted at Oakland Cemetery in Navasota, Grimes County, Texas at a later date.

Floyd Bryan Moore

October 4, 1934 - April 3, 2018