NEWTON NC - Demps Kivitt Moose, 91, of Newton, passed away Friday Jan. 8, 2016, at Catawba Regional Hospice and entered into God's eternal kingdom because of God's promise recorded in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Born Aug. 8, 1924 in Newton, he was the son of the late Aubrey Russell Moose and Sallie Hunsucker Moose.
Demps proudly served in the Army during World War II in Battery C 568th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion. He enjoyed attending the many battalion reunions that met every other year alternating between Northeastern and Southern States. Self-employed, he successfully owned and operated Tire Repair Service in Conover.
He would be bored if not using his hands, so he remodeled and created two wonderful homes on Lake Norman where he and the family enjoyed time fishing, swimming, skiing, and boating. In his 50s, Demps obtained his airplane pilot license and used it to visit his distant relatives and travel to the many battalion reunions.
Once retired, Demps and Frankie toured the United States from coast to coast, Alaska, and Hawaii. He then picked up his golf game and when not on the course, he filled his days with tracing his ancestry as far back to Johann Davidt Mussgung 1751. Mussgung was changed to Moose for English Americans to pronunciate and spell. When completing his research, he donated it to the Catawba County Library and started a hobby in purchasing and repairing vintage clocks.
Demps was a member of First Methodist Church in Conover for nearly 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Frankie Sipe Moose. In addition, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Aubrey Jr. "Pete" and Brady; and his sisters, Evelyn Moose, Rebecca Hatchett, and Dorcas Moose.
He is survived by a sister, Rosemary Jones of Sherrills Ford. He is survived by his children, Deborah Leatherman and husband, Melvin of Hixson, Tenn., Stephanie Wilson and husband, Mark of Apex, N.C., Edward Moose and wife, Teresa of Newton, Amy McKinney and husband, Mike of Clayton, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Monday, Jan. 11, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Conover with funeral services following at 1:45 P.M. Pastors Gary Royals and Mickey Moree will be officiating. Burial will follow in Catawba Memorial Park, 3060 Hwy. 70 SE in Hickory, with military honors by the American Legion Post 16 of Newton. Pallbearers will be: Phillip Moose, Brandon Drum, Andrew Wilson, Aaron Leatherman, Mark Wilson, and Melvin Leatherman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658; or First United Methodist Church, 410 First Ave. N., Conover, NC 28613.
The family was blessed with the help of Debbie Yates, Penny Patterson, Betty Flowers and Johnnie Fulbright who filled Demps' last years with kindness, love, and compassion. We can't thank you enough! Many thanks to Delores Setzer and the members of the Sharpe Bible Class of First United Methodist Church, Conover, for the wonderful cards sent weekly over the last three years and for all the prayers on his behalf. We are eternally grateful to all above!! Burke Mortuary in Newton is serving the Moose family. {Hickory Daily Record January 9, 2016}