Dennis W. Moore

The Honorable Dennis Warner Moore passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021. A public service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, at Johnson County Community College - Yardley Hall, Overland Park, KS. Moore was born in Anthony, Kansas, on November 8, 1945. He attended Wichita Southeast High School, received a B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1967 and was awarded a J.D. from Washburn University School of Law in 1970. He was a captain in the United States Army Intelligence Corps in 1970 and served in the United States Army Reserve from 1970-1973. He served as a Kansas state assistant attorney general, under Attorney General Vern Miller, from 1971-1973. Following a brief stint in private law practice, Moore was elected District Attorney for Johnson County three times, serving from 1977-1989. As DA, he never lost a jury trial he argued, and was instrumental in the founding of Safehome, a refuge for battered women. After resuming private law practice, Moore was elected twice to the Board of Trustees of Johnson County Community College, serving from 1993-1999. In 1998, Moore was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Third District of Kansas. He was the first Democrat in 37 years to win, ultimately winning re-election 5 times before retiring from Congress at the end of 2010. He maintained an active schedule of public events throughout his tenure and was widely described in the press as representing the moderate mainstream of his district. In 2011, Moore announced publicly that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He and his wife Stephene actively supported local organizations that are fighting this disease and Moore testified before the Senate appropriations subcommittee on health in support of increased research funding. Moore will be remembered for the many long-lasting relationships he developed that would last decades, his many phone calls to catch up, he would often say "let's try and talk every couple of weeks for just a couple of minutes" and for playing his beloved Gibson guitar and singing with so many people. As he often reminded everyone, there was "nothing more important in life than family and friends." He was preceded in death by his parents David Warner Moore and Myrtle Maxine (Bieberstein) Moore, Wichita, KS, his only brother Randall (Randy) Moore, New Braunfels, TX, and his son-in-law Kevin Barge, Shawnee, KS. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Stephene (Donohoo Hansen) Moore. Children Todd Moore (Joli) of Hong Kong, Scott Moore (Stephanie) of Mission Hills, KS, and Andrew Moore (Virginia) of Manhattan Beach, CA. Felicia (Hansen) Barge of Shawnee, KS, Valerie (Hansen) Swearingen (Jay) of North Kansas City, MO, J. Nathaniel Hansen (Heidi) of Stilwell, KS and C. Adam Hansen (Katie) of Lenexa, KS. Fifteen much loved grandchildren: Emma, Caroline, Tyler, Kylie, Annabelle, Sydney, Tatum, Reid, Maximo, Lukas, Mikhail, Carter, Kinley, Olivia and Mara. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Eileen (Clair) Moore, New Braunfels, TX, nephews Chris Moore, Mike Moore and niece Lisa (Moore) Ellingsen (Alexander). The Moore family would like to especially thank the Alzheimer's Association HOA, University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Prairie Elder Care, and Ascend Hospice for their support and constant care during the past 10 years. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions benefiting student scholarships to the Dennis and Stephene Moore Scholarship, c/o JCCC Foundation, 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS 66210, 913-469-3835 or online at www.jccc.edu/donate. To view a recording of Dennis Moore's service please click here: