Marcus Moore Sr.

Marcus Moore Sr. was born on November 17, 1929, in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was the 13th of 14 children born to Harvey Moore and Nancy (Whitlow) Moore. As a child, Marcus attended Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church and was baptized at an early age. In 1947, Marcus traveled to New York to see his brother Willard, looking for a new life after the passing of his mother the prior year; seventeen-year-old Marcus was unable to secure employment in New York without holding a high school diploma, so he returned to Alabama. He graduated from Macon County Training School where he played on the basketball team. Marcus went to school from the time he was five years old until he was 38. He had many different professions including plumbing, carpentry, electronics and brick masonry (bricklaying). There is a story in each of the trade adventures as well as his time serving in the military that Marcus loved to share over and over with friends, family and even complete strangers about overcoming adversity during the Korean War. In 1948, Marcus moved to Detroit with his sister Catherine and her husband, Jasper Watts. Having the newfound freedom, he quickly learned that he liked to socialize and enjoyed meeting new people. In June 1951, Marcus was drafted to the United States Army; he was one of two soldiers of color in the 49th Field Artillery and learned a skilled trade in electronics. In December 1951, Marcus was scheduled to be deployed to Korea. Determined to not go, Marcus decided he would break the law by sitting in the whites-only section of an Alabama-bound bus pretending to not speak English. As the bus driver drove, he radioed to the local Alabama police officials for an immediate arrest. Upon arrival, the police officer instantly recognized Marcus as “one of Harvey’s boys,” and took him home. When telling this story, Marcus often added that he sat at the front of the bus prior to Ms. Rosa Parks, who he met five years later and informed her, “I rode in the front of the bus before you did!” Marcus was not trying to integrate the bus, just trying to not go to Korea! In Spring of 1952, Marcus received R&R and was flown to Kokura, Japan. During a return trip to S. Korea, he was on a plane with 20 other soldiers when the plane developed engine problems and crashed into the Yellow Sea. They were miles away from land and all 21 soldiers were drowning. Marcus always shared the story of how he did not panic and relied on his faith in God to survive. He said he heard a voice from Heaven that said, “let your feet down.” He did as he was instructed and realized the water was just under his nose. He said he tugged another soldier by his hand and told him to put his feet down too. In the middle of the chaos, they both managed to make it to land safely. Marcus always said when heard the poem, Footsteps in the Sand, he knew God carried him that day. Marcus was rescued with the one other soldier and returned to his assignment in Korea. He never stepped foot on an airplane ever again. In Summer of 1952, Marcus was promoted to Corporal and in the same year promoted again to Sergeant and served as the Chief Computer for the 105MM Howitzer, a reputable artillery piece known for accuracy and a powerful missile punch. Six months after receiving this promotion, he was told by a newly assigned Captain, “I never liked colored folks.” The Captain also informed Marcus that he would be sent to Infantry, where he would serve on the front lines and likely be killed in the line of duty. One morning, Marcus’ Division was told that a fire mission was coming, and 1,500 N. Korea soldiers were advancing towards their position. He said that he immediately prepared for the mission, but the Captain told him, “return to your sleeping bag; you’re still being shipped out (to Infantry) in the morning.” Because of his color, the Captain did not want Marcus to participate in the fire mission, removing him as the Chief Computer and reassigned the role to a white Sergeant. While preparing for the mission, the new Sergeant called a different method of operation, which was a drastic error. Marcus immediately recognized the error; he had done the math in his head, not using his slide ruler. In the midst of the fire mission, Marcus yelled “correction!” The Captain immediately informed him that he could not dispute a white Sergeant and proceeded with the original directions. Later that day, his Division learned 25 American soldiers were killed due to the error. He was devastated, but remained strong in his faith and prayed for the loss of the 25 American soldiers. Knowing Marcus was the Chief Computer, the General scolded Marcus about the error, but two other soldiers stood up for him. They informed the General that the error came from another Sergeant as Marcus was overruled due to the color of his skin for the mission led by the Captain. Marcus remained in Korea for a few more months and was shipped back to the U.S. in November 1952. Marcus was discharged from the army in 1953 and returned to Detroit via train. Marcus met the love of his life, Juanita Perry at Cunningham’s Drug Store. 1954 was a busy year; Marcus asked for Juanita’s hand in marriage and just a few short months later, they were married on Saturday, July 3rd, at Juanita’s sister Ruth and Rector White’s house on Atkinson St. After their first year of marriage, Marcus and Juanita welcomed their daughter, Glenda Renata. Soon after in 1959, they welcomed a son, Marcus Cortnez, Jr. and in 1968, they welcome their third child, a baby boy, Michael Cortnez– he was quite a surprise. Marcus and Juanita were husband and wife for 63 years. Marcus and his family were a part of the merging of Outer Drive and St. Andrew’s churches, which formed Trinity Community Presbyterian Church in Detroit. He served in various leadership positions including serving as an Elder and Chair of the Finance Committee. He was also an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Men, the Homeless Rotating Shelter Program and a part of regular visits to the Sick and Shut-In. Marcus was a lifetime member of the Michigan Black Presbyterian Caucus. His favorite Bible passage was James 1:17-27. In 1954, Marcus also began his corporate career in brick masonry with the City of Detroit. He was the first black tradesman at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Throughout his career, he was promoted to Foreman and retired as Senior Foreman. The City wanted Marcus to interview and accept the salaried supervisor role, but he was completely satisfied as the most experienced Senior Foreman earning and maximizing an hourly rate. In 1989, Marcus retired after 35 years from the City of Detroit at the age of 60 as the Senior Foreman over several skilled trades. With his early-age retirement and missing the camaraderie of former colleagues, Marcus organized the Detroit Water & Sewerage Breakfast Club with just a few former colleagues meeting quarterly at his favorite breakfast restaurant, Omega Coney Island on 8 Mile Rd. The quarterly meeting group quickly attracted more attendees which eventually required a banquet facility to meet attendance needs. In addition to his City of Detroit work, Marcus utilized his brick masonry skills and worked as an entrepreneur; he often hired family members to complete jobs laying concrete sidewalks and driveways. Some of his most prized projects included Fitzgerald High School, Macomb (Community) College and other noteworthy buildings throughout the state of Michigan. With the skilled training of electronics and TV repair he received in the service, Marcus operated a TV repair business in his spare time. Marcus also worked as a plumber, thinking employment might be a perfect fit for him early in his career. One Sunday morning, Marcus went to the basement of Joe Louis’ mother’s home in Detroit. Marcus’ job was to open the trap and clean it out. He opened it up and feces came back up. That was his last day as a plumber. Together, Marcus and Juanita enjoyed driving and often took cross-country road trips to visit all 50 U.S. states; they also took impromptu trips to the furthest northern road in Michigan to see the beautiful country-side that they loved. Over the years, you could always count on the Moore family to drive to picnics, weddings and graduations. There was no road too far. On one Michigan joyride around Kensington Metro Park, Marcus saw a vacant lot; one view was enough to get Marcus to begin thinking about Brighton Gardens and how his family might be a good fit. He already owned property at the Great Lakes Country Club in Holly, another black community, situated between two lakes. He sold that property to purchase the land in Brighton Gardens because of its closer proximity to the Detroit area. He also bought and sold vacant land within Brighton Gardens; one noteworthy piece of property Marcus sold was located on Valencia Drive where a developer built six two-story properties. In Brighton, Marcus and Juanita built their cottage circa 1971, affectionately known as “The Lake.” Marcus and Juanita enjoyed opening their Brighton home to family and friends in the summer where they hosted annual holiday gatherings and celebrating their wedding anniversary every 4th of July. Juanita and Marcus enjoyed entertaining, so in 1984, they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows in front of family and friends. Marcus loved to barbecue! He also enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren out on his recreational motor vehicles which included dirt bikes, snowmobiles, three- and four-wheel off-road vehicles, a purple dune buggy and pontoon/paddle boats. Marcus was a proud lifetime member and supporter of NAACP and the Detroit Renaissance Lions Club. He was also a participant and founding member of the Northland (Mall) Pacers. Marcus was often invited to be the master of ceremony at various events, and even took the Dale Carnegie Training Course for Public Speaking. In Marcus’ downtime, he would often challenge you a card game, Kings in the Corner; he is declared the undefeated champion. Anyone who knew Marcus knew he was a determined, strong-minded man. On May 23, Marcus was involved in a car accident. For almost two months, Marcus worked diligently to become stronger and determined to walk again. On Wednesday, July 15, Marcus made his transition and walked right into heaven to meet our heavenly Father. Marcus leaves to cherish his memory his children, Glenda (Clifford) Stallings, Marcus (Ramelda) Moore, Michael Moore and Alexus Williams; grandchildren, Carl (Lisa) Stallings, Tina (Jamal) Barnett, Joseph (Veronica) Stallings, Leon Clark Jr. and Brandon Clark; great-grandchildren, Payton Stallings, Karli Stallings, Malik Clark, Samoria Clark, Ayana Clark and Leon Clark III; in-laws, Teresa Moore, Donel Carter, Priness Perry, Sidney Perry, Naomi Carolyn Perry, Viola Elaine (Phillip) Roundtree, Promese Perry and Isabelle Sykes; mother-in-law, Dorothy Perry; lady friend Edna L. Williams; very special niece, Adrienne Watts; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Marcus has been reunited with his bride, parents, his oldest son, Leon Clark Sr., and siblings who preceded him in transition. Please encourage the Moore family with an everlasting note of Condolence on our Tribute page. NOTE: Great Lakes National Cemetery limits participants to not more than 20 people.

Marcus Moore Sr.

November 17, 1929 - July 15, 2020