COLUMBUS
Winford Ernest Moore, Jr. “Ernie”, 66, long time resident of Columbus, IN passed away at his home with family and friends present after a brief fight with cancer. Ernie was born October 1, 1955, the youngest of four and the only son of Helen Marie (Brown) Moore and Winford Ernest Moore Sr in Bloomington and raised in Brown County. Ernie was a graduate of Brown County High School Class of 1973. He held an Associates Degree in General Studies from Vincennes University.
After high school, Ernie found himself enlisting with the United States Army, serving in both Active Duty Army and the Indiana National Guard. Ernie retired with over twenty-one years of honorable service. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant after serving as an enlisted soldier, where he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. His exceptional service was recognized with many awards and decorations including two awards of National Defense Service Medal, and two Army Commendation Medals. Throughout his career, his duties included Truck Driver, Fuel Handler, Transportation Coordinator, and Engineer Platoon Leader.
However, the sweet smell of coolant and oil in the morning, “another day in paradise,” as he’d say, was where he made some of his greatest impacts. Ernie worked at NTN Driveshaft, mentoring and shaping the minds of many. After creating a family for life, He retired from NTN after a “short” 22 years. He later worked at Papa Johns Pizza, where he met many friends while delivering pizzas. Ernie generously donated food during the holidays and fed the Papa Johns team during the pandemic.
Ernie enjoyed cooking and loved everything BBQ. He stared his own catering and BBQ sauce business “Old Fat Guy BBQ.” He and his other/better half Dwayne (Deb) Meier competed in Smoke on the Square for several years, winning prizes for both ribs and steaks. Additionally, they prepared and shared food with folks at the Community Engagement Center in Columbus.
Ernie married in 1990 and had two children, while helping to raise two others who gave him the title of Dad. Ernie is survived by his children, Cami Moore (Sharita) of Columbus, IN; Win Moore (Logan) of Columbus, IN; Justin deTarnowsky (Nicole) of Morgantown, IN; and Kennedy McHolland of Memphis, IN; his mother, Helen Marie Moore, Columbus, IN; two sisters, Sharon Kay Shipley of Columbus, IN; Becky (Alan) Cox of Hollow Rock, TN. Ernie leaves seven grandchildren, Ava Moore, Adrianna Moore, Aubree Moore, Emmalynn Bruner, Addisyn Bobb, Ally deTarnowsky and Raylin Byrd; many nieces and nephews, and many friends who were his chosen family.
Ernie was preceded in death by his father, Winford Ernest Moore, Sr.; sister Beverly Ann Moore Jackson, and great-niece Chloe-Ann Feree; and his late wife and mother of his children, Amaire deTarnowsky Bishop.
Pastor Dale Lucas will conduct a memorial service at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1425 Jonesville Rd, Columbus, IN on Friday September 2 at 11 a.m.
Military rites and interment at Indiana Veterans Memorial in Madison will happen at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Ernie to Wounded Warriors.
