Dr. Richard L. Moorehouse

Dr. Richard L. Moorehouse, 88, of Long Beach, California, passed away on June 24th, 2019 in Abilene, Texas. 

Graveside services and burial will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, June 27th, 2019 at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 W. Lake Road, Abilene, Texas.  Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas.

Richard was born on June 10th, 1931 in Long Beach, California to Delma Marie Kirk and Cecil Leon Moorehouse.  He attended local schools and graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in 1950.  He then attended the University of Southern California, going to dental school and graduating with his Doctor of Dental Science degree in 1955.  Richard served in the Air Force from 1955 – 1957 in the Dental Corp, achieving the rank of Captain.  He married the love of his life, Joyce Vivian Haynes, on June 15, 1952 in Downey, California. They moved to Redlands, California in 1957 where Richard ran his dental practice for 17 years before moving to Fresno, California in 1974, where he was the Director of the Dental Hygiene program until his retirement in 1993.  During his tenure as Director, the program graduated over 900 students.   He was also an advocate for scholarships to assist dental hygiene students with tuition, and helped create a program that the school aptly named after him - the Dr. Richard L. Moorehouse scholarship.  He was actively involved in many community and professional organizations during his life, most notably the Optimist Club, American Dental Association, and USC Dental Alumni.

Richard enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time with his family.  He was an avid USC sports fan, and he never missed watching a football game.  This became a family tradition.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Delma Moorehouse; his sister, Carol Gentry; and his brother, Donald Moorehouse.

Richard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joyce Moorehouse; his daughter, Meri Combs and her husband Dwight; his son, Larry Moorehouse and his wife Rita; 3 grandchildren, Jennifer Clancy, Grace Combs, and Richard Moorehouse; and one great-grandchild, Ava Tucker. 

For those who wish to send flowers, please send them directly to The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas 79606.

Memorials may be given in Richard’s name to the American Cancer Society.

The family of Dr. Richard L. Moorehouse wishes to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the doctors and nurses of Hendrick Hospice Care.