Clifford William Moon
August 1, 1925 - October 22, 2026
“Do you know how they make decaf? You take de cow and de bull…”
Cliff was born at home in Alhambra, California, to Lila and Clyde Moon and was a large baby weighing over 10 pounds (extra credit to Lila who was under 5 foot and birthed this large baby boy!). He lived in Alhambra until he moved to North Las Vegas at 9 years old, following his dad as he was working on building Hoover Dam. Cliff’s Uncle Fred was also working on the dam, and his family lived on the property of Uncle Fred and Aunt Hattie. He loved living there as a child, belonged to Scouts and enjoyed looking for arrowheads and going out shooting with his buddies. He lived there until he was 15 years old, and returned to California where he attended school in Compton (he did find it endlessly funny that he was “straight outta Compton”).
When WWII started, he dropped out of school and worked until he was 17 and could get his Mom’s permission to join the Marines, August 6,1942. He was assigned to active duty just 5 days after his 17th birthday. He was a marksman with a rifle in the service, and in the Pacific Theatre in January 1943 to August 1945. He was a heavy anti-aircraft fire controlman during that time. He participated in action on Woodlark Island, New Guinea; Peleliu Island, Palau Group; and Cape Gloucester, New Britain. He made $56.70 per month for the time he was in the Marines. He was never injured but ended up in the hospital for “jungle rot” on his feet. His Marine Corps service was a piece of his life of which he was very proud, and carried with him to his dying days.
After joining the Marines but prior to being shipped off, he was standing at the bus stop and saw an adorable woman who he went up and talked to, rode with on the bus, told her he had the same stop and walked her home. They exchanged addresses, and he had to walk over 5 miles back to his actual house. They wrote to each other during his time in the Marines. His letters were full of stories about Horrible Herman the fly who used to torment him. He came back in 1945 and married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Barr Moon on June 21, 1946. They were married until his bride passed away October 20, 2004.
After the wedding, Cliff and Mary moved into their first home in Long Beach, CA. It was a shack where the grass grew through the walls into the inside of the home and had to be cut with scissors. He worked a variety of jobs and finished his GED during this time. They eventually upgraded into a better home in Long Beach. Mary and Cliff had two daughters, Mary Katherine Moon (1948) and Carol Ann Moon (1949). They lived in Norwalk for 13 years. After that, they moved to Fullerton where Mary completed her degree and Cliff worked for Placentia Unified School District as a refrigeration and air conditioning technician.
Cliff and Mary relocated to Humboldt County in Eureka after they both retired in September 1983. They found a piece of property they liked in Cutten and had a home built there. The Moon family was so blessed by the Greenbriar/Blackberry Lane community who supported, cared for and celebrated both of them. There were many epic block parties, including several for Cliff’s later birthdays including original musical numbers (thanks, Dale!) and delicious food. Cliff buzzed around the neighborhood first in his red convertible BMW and later in his red poweredmobility scooter, greeting neighbors and visiting. He often carried dog and cat treats and candy in his scooter’s basket.
Still being young of age and young at heart, they decided they wanted to open up a business in Eureka. They opened Moon’s Play N’ Learn with their daughter, Carol, an educational supply and toy store. They sold the store in 1992 and decided to truly pursue retirement. During this time in Humboldt County, Cliff and Mary were very involved in their community. Cliff was an Exalted Ruler in the Elks’ Lodge, a Shriner in the Masons, and involved in Kiwanis. The group that Cliff continued to support throughout his life was the Six Rivers Marine Corps League, including the Wednesday Warriors, a Marine Corps group he had luncheons with weekly until his passing.
Cliff was an accomplished, talented woodworker who made many beautiful pieces of furniture and smaller art, and spent many hours in his woodshop creating art. His pieces were sold at local boutiques and he won numerous awards at the County Fair and blessed his family and friends with creative and useful pieces. He also generously donated many pieces to the Eureka Symphony, an organization which he adored and supported enthusiastically for years.
Cliff is predeceased by his loving wife, Mary, son-in-law, Bob Ross, and many WWII Marine buddies. He is survived by his daughters, Mary Kay Ross and Carol Goodwyn and son-in-law Greg Goodwyn, grandchildren Jessica Contreras (Gerson), Larissa Caldwell (Lewis), Jeremiah Ross (Nicole), Kirsten Keneipp (Brandon), and great-grandchildren Kirra Truesdale, Emma Caldwell, Kaia Caldwell, Nolan Keniepp, Hudson Caldwell, Griffin Keneipp, Jack Ross, Vivian Keneipp, and Ellie Ross, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Cliff is also survived by his stalwart Marine Corps Wednesday Warrior buddies Wayne Palmer, Leonard Shumard, Dan Wood, Martin “Red” Johnson, Mark Wruggles, Greg Gardner, Gerald Rotter, Bob Barkley and Jerry Williams. Ken Suiker and a small group of neighbors had Cliff over for whiskey tasting and cigar smoking which he enjoyed tremendously…sometimes he enjoyed it too much! The Huckleberry and Blackberry Friday afternoon pizza and chat circle out on the road was a favorite time, where he roved around on his scooter, enjoying good food and even better friendships.Special thanks to his friend, caregiver and housemate Connie Kooiman, who made such a difference in his ability to remain in his own home for his entire life. He is also survived by the most ornery, persnickety cat in existence who somehow adored him, Sake. (Much gratitude to the gifted Dr Willoughby who lovingly cared for all of the Moon family pets over the years).
Acknowledgments
Sincere gratitude from the family to Maizie Burke, community caregiver who went above and beyond just caring, baking homemade treats and engaging in conversation. The VA Home based community care team, led by Rebecca Morris.
Thank you to the Providence St Joseph Hospital Emergency Department, Med/Surg floors 2 and 3, and the OR crew for their loving and skillful care and treating Cliff and his family as their own. Thank you to Tanner and the Rapid Response team for their kind, skillful and compassionate care.It is not lost on us that we were wildly fortunate to have so many years with Cliff. We are so thankful, and will always hold the moments he shared with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren close to our hearts.
Services will be held in the Spring 2027.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Clifford Moon’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.