Rev. Wilbur Emery Moore died May 12, 2019, at Saint Ann Nursing Home in Oklahoma City. He was age 90. Father Moore was born March 6, 1929, in Duncan, Okla., to Harry and Lucy (Haas) Moore. After graduating from Duncan High School, he attended Saint Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colo., where he earned a master’s degree in theology. He was ordained May 25, 1957, in Oklahoma City by Bishop Eugene McGuinness.
Father Moore faithfully served the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and later the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, for more than 60 years. Father Moore served as pastor of Sacred Heart, Alva, and Our Mother of Sorrows, Waynoka (1965-1972), Holy Name of Jesus, Chickasha (1972-1986), Saint Joseph, Ada (1986-1992), and Our Lady of Fatima, Nicoma Park (1992-2009). He served as associate pastor of Saint Mary, Tulsa (1957-1965). In addition to serving parishes, Father Moore served as chaplain at Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington, Okla., as regional vicar for the archdiocese, on the Seminary Board and as the defender of the bond for the marriage tribunal.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 17 at the Catholic Pastoral Center by Archbishop Coakley with burial at Duncan Cemetery in Duncan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Center of Family Love in Okarche.