Earl Eugene Moss was born on October 11, 1933, at his family farm 11 west
and ½ mile North of Hoxie, Kansas. He unexpectedly passed away
December 25, 2020, at the Sheridan County Health Complex.
Earl attended grade school in the Bloomfield township school. This
school house would eventually become the home he and Opal would share
for over 67 years until his passing. He attended Hoxie High School his
freshman year before transferring to Menlo High School where he
graduated in 1951. After High School, Earl attended Fort Hays State for
one semester until his true calling brought him home to farm.
Earl had a great passion for basketball and played at Menlo High
School where they placed third in State his Senior year. He also
played on the Hoxie town team, where he was known for his “patented turn
around fade away jump shot!”
In the summer of 1952, Earl met the love of his life, Opal Barnett.
They were united in marriage at Opal’s parents' home north of Rexford
June 2nd 1953. In order to get the Bloomfield School house ready for
them to move into they had to auger wheat out of the basement.
Earl loved his community and was a great leader. He served as a
county committee man for the ASCS office, Board of Directors of First
National Bank, Elder at Hoxie Christian Church and a Past Exhaulted
Ruler of the Hoxie Elks Lodge.
Earl was also a visionary and entrepreneur. He was one of the first
farmers for Sheridan County to drill an irrigation well. He was one
of the first in the area to introduce the use of a grain cart in
harvest. In 1969, he was one of the original nine owners in the Hoxie
Feed Lot.
Earl had a quick wit and great sense of humor. The only thing Earl
loved more than card playing, golf and fishing, were his friendships and
his family. And honestly, he became good friends with everyone he met!
Earl is survived by his wife Opal; sons, Tim Moss and wife Dana of
Selden, Kansas and Gary Moss and wife Teri of Hoxie, Kansas; sister,
Margaret Muelenkamp of Oakley, Kansas; six grandchildren; seven
step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and eight
step-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, James Allen Moss;
parents, James W. and Orpha M. Moss; and brother, Johnnie Moss; and
sister, Esther Woofter.
A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 10:30
A.M. at the Hoxie Christian Church in Hoxie, Kansas. Visitation will
be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home
from Noon until 6:30 P.M. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to
6:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the Earl Moss Memorial and may be
sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas.
Words of comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com. This
service will be livestreamed by Open Spaces Sports. Please check the
website, www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com for the link to the service.
Earl and Opals commitment to their 67 year marriage, along with his
faith and trust in Jesus allowed Earl to maintain his positive outlook
on life despite his health struggles.