Melvin Kenwood Moyer, known to friends as “Chip,” passed away on July 27, 2018, at the age of 72.
Born July 19, 1946, Chip was a native of Cisco, IL. He is the Son of Geraldine Scoles and George Moyer. In 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Naval Air-Crewman (NAC) Hospital Corpsman serving in the Vietnam War. Stations included Naval Hospital Bethesda, Marine Air Wing-12, Marine Amphibious Brigade (9th MAB), Marine Air Base Squadron-15 (MAB), and Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital.
In 1969, he married Karen Jean Brace and began his career with Sears, Roebuck and Co. Positions held included: Operations Manager, Kokomo, IN; Assistant Manager, Jacksonville, IL; Operations Manager, Springdale, OH; and District Manager, Southern Ohio. In 1992, after a successful career with Sears, Chip became Store Manager of Furniture Direct and Knoxville Wholesale Furniture Co. of Knoxville, TN.
In 2001, Chip served the Fellowship Evangelical Free Church of Knoxville, TN, as a Facilities Manager, which was one of the most rewarding jobs participating in local and global mission initiatives including: Habitat for Humanity, Home Repair Team, and building team supporting a church in Mexico.
Chip loved to travel and was very fortunate to experience traveling with family in Botswana, Africa; Zambia, Africa; Vietnam; Japan; Canada and RV’ing the lower 48 states and Alaska. One of his favorite memories was Canada “fly in” fishing trips and RV’ing in Alaska. He always loved to see nature.
Chip was extremely well-liked by his contemporaries. He had a rare knack for getting along with everyone. He was considerate of others, displayed a good sense of humor, and was consistently friendly. Throughout the year’s people consistently commented about how he always was so “optimistic” and had a “positive attitude” even when the going got tuff.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Karen Brace Moyer of Mishoppen, PA, brother Eugene “Gene” Moyer of Decatur, IL, son Randolph “Randy” Scott Moyer and wife Anne, Leonardtown MD; daughter Heidi Rachquel Moyer Breeden and husband Jason, Maryville, TN; daughter Michele Moyer Royce and husband Jeff, Zambia, Africa; and son Mark Kenwood Moyer and wife Jaime, LaFollette, TN, and 11 grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Chip will be held 6:30-7:45 pm, 4 August 2018, at the Fellowship Evangelical Free Church of Knoxville, 8000 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37909.