June 13, 1945 – Nov. 4, 2016
A gentle, kind, and soft-spoken man, Steve had been born, raised, and lived most of his life in Stockton, where he touched many young lives teaching at Stagg Senior High School for 25 years.
After earning a BA and MA’s at UC Davis and Berkeley, Steve taught art, but many never knew he was an accomplished artist himself. His work was shown in Tokyo and Manhattan. He could have become a university professor, but instead Steve devoted his life to teaching younger students, using art and filmmaking as a way to help his students discover their own creativity and use their imaginations. This was his mission, and his challenge. For most of his students, english was a second language. They had strong ties, so Steve visited their homes, talked with their parents, and learned how they lived. He became a recognizable regular at their community events, eating their food and making new friends. He helped find jobs for his students, at times creating the job. Every summer he volunteered his time, studio, and equipment to run a movie making camp, funded by grants he had written.
Steve fulfilled his mission and proved the power of one, changing many lives and opening young minds to create. His students believed in themselves and their ideas, and they believed in a teacher who believed in them. Steve was voted Stockton Teacher of the Year twice, but for him, the greatest award was watching his students graduate and possibly continue on to college.
Stephen was preceded in death by his father, Aubrey D. Moore, and mother, Darlene Moore. He left behind his brother, Aubrey D. Moore, Jr., older sister Carolyn Moore de Ortiz, and younger sister Pamela Moore Watson. He was well loved and will always be missed. A service for Steve will be held privately at his request.
Published in The Record on Nov. 30, 2016
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