Remembering Leon Milo Moore
Leon Milo Moore, known as Bud to his friends, passed away in his childhood home surrounded by his wife and daughters on May 12, 2025.
Bud was born in Mount Vernon, Wash. on March 13, 1932 to parents Milo and Alice (Van Sickle) Moore. Raised in La Conner until age 13, he moved to Seattle where he attended Ballard High School. In 1949, when his father was appointed as United Nations fisheries consultant, the family moved to Athens, Greece. During their two-year stay, Bud was first to graduate from the newly-formed Athens Anglo-American High School. The following year whetted his appetite for government service. He was selected as a certified messenger for the U.S. Delegation to UNSCOB, delivering official correspondence to member countries.
Returning to Seattle, he entered the University of Washington where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and won several “Big W’s,” rowing starboard oar on the UW crew. A political science degree and ROTC commission led to a 24-year career as a multi-engine pilot in the U.S. Air Force. In 1956, the day prior to flight training, he married his college sweetheart, Lynn Stewart, at the Davis-Monthan base chapel in Tuscon, Ariz. While in the military, Bud and family enjoyed duty stations in Hawaii, Germany, and five stateside locations. He earned a masters degree at the University of Oklahoma in political science and then volunteered for duty in Vietnam, flying combat missions in C-130 aircraft. As a command pilot, he flew transport aircraft throughout the world. One of his most memorable trips was taking Apollo 11 astronauts over restricted East German routes to Berlin for celebrations commemorating the 1969 moon landing. Bud retired as a Lt. Col., staff officer in 1978.
Moving back to La Conner, he and his wife opened and operated One Moore Store, a small ice cream shop, one of the last places one could still buy “penny candy.” Following in his father’s footsteps, he took an active role in community affairs. As Chamber of Commerce president and later, La Conner mayor, he spearheaded the building of several town facilities, including One Moore Outhouse, the town’s first public restroom, and Maple Hall performance center.
Proud of his pioneer family heritage, he also served as president of the Skagit County Historical Society and Skagit County Pioneer Association. Bud cared deeply about the town of La Conner and Skagit County. He strived to make positive contributions to both. Known for his distinctive voice and a willing attitude, he was always available to lend a helping hand.
Northwest summers were his favorite, whether on his boat, riding his bike, or camping in his RV. As the years passed, he delighted in recalling such memories during weekly Zoom calls to his far-flung family. Bud is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Susan Jane Faller. He is survived by his wife Lynn, daughters Lori (Tom) Stewart, Leslie Moore, and Lisa (Brian) Hedulund, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Private graveside services will be held at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Remembrances can be made to Skagit County Historical Society, P.O. Box 818, La Conner, WA 98257. Special thanks and appreciation to Hospice of the Northwest staff for their compassionate caring and service. Hospice of the Northwest 227 Freeway Dr., Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
