A tribute to our Dad, Jesse Moreland

From Allan, Arla, Quint, Valerie, Denise

Our Dad was unique, a special sort of fella. He was not swayed or guided by fads or politics. He knew what was right and did not compromise his convictions. He asked Jesus into his heart as a young man and determined to lead his family in the ways of the Lord. He expected us kids to "behave our britches". He earned our respect because he lived what he believed. His faith was deep, not showy or sugar coated. It was just there- always present.

He loved our Mom deeply, his bride of 57 years. "Upon meeting Mom for the first time under the yard light at the ranch," he told us kids, "It was love at first sight". He knew she was the one, married her, and kept his vow to love and cherish her as long as he lived. Together they ranched on his parents, Jess and Mollie Moreland's homestead where he was born on June 23, 1930, grew up, and then died, never leaving his beloved ranch.

Dad was always good to his horses and livestock. His horse would become one of his best friends as together they would tackle calving season, riding the hills of the ranch, and gathering cattle in all sorts of weather. Dad especially had a fondness for Hereford cattle. He was like a shepherd to his cattle and could rattle off their tag number just by looking at them.

He took great pleasure in his family working beside him on the ranch. He was particular and expected things to be done the right way from hanging up your bridle to shutting the gate. He broke many a horse with his kids watching, learning and then participating alongside him. Riding beside Dad was serious business, yet an unexplainable thrill at the same time. We looked up to him, "He was our hero".

Our memories with Dad are in every corner of this ranch, from his team to feeding, calving, haying, and sorting, to his spot at the table or his chair with a "neat" stack of magazines or newspapers piled beside it. We grew up listening to Country music greats such as Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, or other Grand Ole Opry singers. We won't be able to listen to the Gaither Band sing without thinking of Dad and his love for Gospel music and the old Pentecostal hymns. From our youth to our adulthood, we played hard together and had incredible memories such as ice skating, water fights, Easter egg hunts and Christmas' with Santa, driving the team, trailing cattle, and family meals around the table. One of Dad's favorites was homemade ice cream which little did we know would come to be one of the last pleasures he would be able to enjoy.

Dad enjoyed teasing his wife, his children, and then finally his grandchildren. The grandchildren would complain that they couldn't always tell when Granddad was teasing which made it even more fun for Dad.

The people of the Red Owl community and our neighbor communities were special to Dad. He was proud to call you friend. Those at Prairie Bible Church of God, the church he helped establish & build, meant a great deal to him as well. Thank you all for the part you played in his life.

We count it a privilege and thank God that we all could be with Mom as we watched Dad take his final breath in the very house he was born in. We watched him "Go home to be with the one who loves him even more than we do, his Lord and Savior". We miss you already Dad and look forward to seeing you in "Glory land".

Survivors include Jesse's wife, Carolyn; Jesse's children, Allan (Susan) Moreland with sons Nick & Tyrel (Carson); Arla (Cliff) Chord with daughters Carri (Darren) Odle & Becki (Bill) Clemons; Quint (Jody) Moreland with family Seth, Sage, Jake, Shanna, Bailey, & Kyanne; Valerie (Dave) Samuelson with daughter Davina (Will) McClain & sons Joe (Darian), Justin, Chet; Denise (Kelly) Martin with daughter Tacey & sons Teegan, Landon, and Latham & Tregg; twelve great-grandchildren; Jesse's sisters, Dottie Mae Beckloff & June Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, and two brother-in-laws.

Memorials have been established to Sunshine Bible Academy and Prairie Bible Church of God.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 22, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at the Central Meade County Community Center with Pastors Wes Labrier and Bob James officiating. Burial will follow at the Red Owl Cemetery.

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