John Henry Moore MD

Dr. John Henry Moore, 83, of Branson, Missouri, passed away Friday, December 23, 2022. John Henry battled silently with a weakened heart for several years, and the recent Covid/pneumonia diagnosis became more than his body could handle. However, as a strong believer in Jesus Christ for over 45 years, he trusted the Lord would welcome him into Heaven at just the right time.

John Henry was born in his hometown of El Dorado, Arkansas, on October 12, 1939, to Dr. Berry Lee Moore, Sr. and Lydia Mae Schmuck Moore. After his mother passed away from an aggressive cancer when he was only a baby, he was raised by his dad and beloved step-mother Mary Athelene West Moore.

John Henry grew up in El Dorado among family and friends, many of whom he maintained close relationships through the years. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1957, and attended the University of Arkansas, where he also played tennis for the Razorbacks. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, then completed an internship program at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, and a residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He served in the U.S. Air Force at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, completing his time at the rank of Major.

While training in Atlanta, John Henry found and married the love of his life, Cathy Young Moore. They eventually moved to El Dorado, where they raised their three children John Aaron, Mary Kay, and Ginny. Dr. Moore followed in the footsteps of his older brother Berry Lee, as well as their father and grandfather by practicing medicine in El Dorado. He began his 30-year career in general surgery, where he worked alongside beloved colleagues, and was able to serve the hundreds of patients he loved. He considered his practice of medicine a ministry—treating not only the physical, but also the spiritual needs of his patients. He prayed with every one of his patients, and was faithful to continue praying for them and their families.

For over 5 decades of his life, John Henry was a faithful Sunday School teacher in every church he attended. In El Dorado, he was an active member, couples Sunday School teacher, and deacon of First Baptist Church, and later Immanuel Baptist Church. In Largo, Florida, he was ordained as a pastor, helped start a faith-based ministry health clinic, in addition to teaching Sunday School at Indian Rocks Baptist Church. In Fayetteville, Arkansas, he taught, was a deacon, and elder at University Baptist Church. Most recently, he has been a Sunday School teacher, deacon, elder, pastoral staff, and marriage mentor at Branson First Baptist Church.

John Henry’s desire to combine medicine with faith has been part of every season of his long medical career. He and his wife Cathy have been part of countless mission trips to Mexico, Brazil, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, South Africa, Ireland, and Austria. Even though these mission trips varied in their locale and scope, John Henry and Cathy always had the same simple desire: to love people, and tell them about Jesus.

During their Branson years, John Henry and Cathy were instrumental in setting up the Free Medical Clinic of the Ozarks, a faith-based medical clinic which reaches an under-served population in the area. For no cost, un-insured patients are able to access not only free healthcare and medicine, but are prayed with, encouraged, and supplied various other resources.

John Henry was preceded in death by his parents; his spiritual hero and older brother Dr. Berry Lee Moore and his wife LaNell; and his cherished older sister Marilyn’s husband George Berry, of Austin, Texas. He is survived by his wife Cathy of 57 years, his older sister Marilyn Berry, his children and their spouses, John Aaron and Gina Moore, Mary Kay and David Janke, and Ginny and John Luther, his 8 grandchildren Drew and Emily, Brady, and Landon Moore, Rebecca and Sara Beth Janke, and Claire and Nathan Luther. John Henry was recently blessed to meet his first great-grandchild, Miss Chandler Katherine Moore.

Funeral services in Branson will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, at Branson First Baptist Church with Pastor Jeremy Thomas officiating. A Visitation will be held that morning, from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church. Arrangements in Branson are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home Branson.

Funeral services in El Dorado will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, at Immanuel Baptist Church with Dr. David Uth officiating, and an opening welcome by Dr. Baylor Clark Whitney. A Visitation will be held from 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements in El Dorado are under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to these ministries dear to John Henry’s heart: The Welcome Initiative of Branson First Baptist Church, Kids Across America Kamps, and The Free Medical Clinic of the Ozarks.