Sylvester Moore Jr.'s Obituary
A Brother, An Uncle, A Cousin . . . Sylvester Moore, Jr. was born June 12, 1945 to
the union of Paralee and Sylvester Moore, Sr., both of whom preceded him in
death. He was the fourth of seven children. Three of his siblings, Melvin, Gloria
Dean, and Lee Alphonso preceded him in death.
Sylvester was known to some as Buster and to many as Syl. Syl was baptized at
an early age at Northern Missionary Baptist Church. He was educated in the
St. Louis Public School System where he attended Sumner High School.
In February 1963, Syl enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 101st
Airborne Division and Combat Service in Vietnam. He received an Honorable
Discharge in February 1966. Syl resumed his education by attending Washington
University in St. Louis. In 1975, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Psychology. He furthered his education by pursuing a Master's in Urban/Public
Administration. While pursuing his education, he met Katherine Rogers. Syl and
Katherine were married, and to this union no children were born.
Syl began his professional life in the St. Louis Public School System where he
served as the Director/Coordinator at Washington Community School from 1976 -
1981. One of his accomplishments was he worked with and received funding from
the Danforth Foundation to implement and operate a special child care program
at Washington Community School. Another accomplishment was the erection of
the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. statue that stands in the City of St. Louis'
Fountain Park.
Syl was selected for the National Urban Fellowship (NUF) at Bucknell University in
Lewisburg, PA and Chicago, IL from 1981-82. The NUF was a Leadership program
for mid-career, proven successful urban/public administrators. This was an interdisciplinary
Master's Degree program in Urban Administration. His assignment
was as Special Assistant to then, Illinois State Senator, Dawn Clark Netsch, 13th
District in Chicago. Ms. Netsch later served as controller for the State of Illinois,
and was then the Democratic Candidate for Governor in 1992. Later, Syl was the
proprietor of West Belle Market and Deli which operated from 1982 -1991.
He operated as a contractor/sign painter from 1991 - 1998 working with his
cousin, Joe Cole.
He loved the family reunions, going to the casinos, playing tennis and sipping
Taylor Port.
He leaves to cherish: one devoted sister ~ Maggie Strong (Andrew); two brothers ~
Kenneth Moore and Bobby Moore (Erthalyne); and a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins and friends who truly loved and respected him.
What’s your fondest memory of Sylvester?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sylvester?
Share a story where Sylvester's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sylvester you’ll never forget.
How did Sylvester make you smile?
