Palestine, Texas - Charles Rayburn Moore, age 86, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025, at Legacy at Town Creek in Palestine, Texas. He was born on May 17, 1939, in Palestine, Texas, to George Rayburn Moore and Jessie Mae Dickey Moore.

Rayburn graduated from Palestine High School in 1957, and throughout his life he held those years and the friendships he made there close to his heart. He faithfully took the lead in organizing his class reunions, year after year, because it mattered deeply to him that his classmates stay connected. After high school, he attended Sam Houston State University for 2 years, then transferred to the University of North Texas, where he earned a degree in business.

Rayburn resided in Palestine throughout his life and was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church. When he returned from college, he worked at a civil engineering firm where he met and subsequently went into partnership with Jerry Fontaine to form the civil engineering firm J.F. Fontaine & Associates. Jerry and Rayburn developed rural and urban water systems throughout Texas. This firm will celebrate its 60th year of serving Texas in 2 years.

He had a lifelong love of golf, especially playing with his buddies and constantly working to improve his game. Over the years, he achieved two holes-in-one, moments of joy he treasured and loved to share. One of Rayburn's greatest dreams was to play golf at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, the birthplace of the game. He was able to make that dream come true. He walked those historic fairways, felt the wind off the sea, and stood on the same greens where the game was born. That trip was more than just golf to him - it was a celebration of a lifelong passion, a memory he carried with pride and joy.

More than anything, Rayburn loved his family. Nothing brought him greater joy than being surrounded by his wife, son, daughters, and grandchildren. Papa, as he was affectionately known by the family, possessed the ultimate gift of gab. His gentle nature and genuine interest in other humans made him the ultimate everyman. His ability to connect with others was only surpassed by his ability to tell a story. As many know, the best stories are the perfect combination of truth and embellishment. When he would tell a story, it didn't matter which part of the story was truth, you just enjoyed the laughter and company of the man who enjoyed telling the story as much as you did hearing it.

Rayburn was also sentimental and loved traditions. He enjoyed annual beach trips with the family. Every Christmas his children loved waking up to seeing Santa's footprints in the ashes on the hearth going back up the chimney. He also saved every letter the kids ever wrote Santa and thoughtfully gave his children all a copy when they became adults. On Halloween, Ray didn't care about giving 3 kids large butcher knives to artistically mangle the perfect pumpkin he picked out. He proudly lined each piece on the brick wall for the neighborhood to see. On Easter, Ray loved hiding Easter eggs, even when he knew 1-2 would go undiscovered until summer. His spirit lives on in every holiday the family celebrates, and we carry those memories with gratitude in our hearts.

Rayburn was preceded in death by his parents, George Rayburn and Jessie Mae Moore; his aunts and uncles, Willard and Velma Moore, and Sonny and Louise Dickey. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Charlotte Moore of Palestine; his children Mitze Kelley and husband Kris of Waxahachie, Monica Moore of Plano, and David Rayburn Moore and wife Rebecca of Salt Lake City; as well as five grandchildren, Bailey Wilson, Colton Kelley, Lucas Kelley, Richard Rayburn Moore, and Ellie Moore.

A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 1pm at Herrington Land of Memory Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jordan Byrd officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rayburn Moore to: Shriners National at https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/ways-to-give or the local ASPCA at https://barctx.org/donate. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Legacy at Town Creek and the Hospice of East Texas for their care for Papa.