Gary Lester Moeller

Gary Lester Moeller, 75, of Corvallis, Oregon, passed away November 13, 2024, at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

He was born on November 15, 1948. He grew up with his family on farms in Plainfield, Illinois. Gary was proud of being a “farm boy” and a hard worker. He attended St. Mary Immaculate School in Plainfield and graduated from Lockport West High School in 1966. He was active in 4-H and Will County 4-H Federation. He enjoyed entertaining friends and being happy. Gary received actor of the year in high school for his role in “January Thaw”. Gary served in the U.S. Army from 1969-71. He was stationed near Stuttgart, Germany. He worked as a heavy equipment operator, swung hammers in construction, and was a professional house painter in various locations. He left pieces of his heart in Illinois, Colorado, California, and Oregon. Gary loved the mountains and ocean.

His family was very important to him. He returned to Oregon with his mother when she moved from Illinois to Oregon. He lived with her for many years to help keep her in her home. He kept the house clean and took care of the landscaping. Gary always enjoyed listening to music.

 Gary is survived by two brothers, Ronald Moeller of Corvallis and Steven (Loretta) Moeller of Channahon, Illinois, and one sister, Lenora (Chris Moser) Moeller of Corvallis. He has several nieces and nephews: Mike (Cindy) Moeller of Plainfield, Pamela (Michael) Johnson of Corvallis, Peter Moeller of Corvallis; his godson Alex (Sonja Lapinski) Moeller, Ben Moser, Andy (Madeline) Moser all of Newberg, Oregon; and Krystle (Austin Grieser) Moeller of Granby, Colorado. He has four great-nephews: Kyle Moeller, Barnaby Moeller, Calvin Moser, and Oscar Moser; and two great-nieces, Chelsea Moeller and Daisy Moser.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Shirley (Rahn) Moeller, and his youngest brother James “Jim” Moeller. God Rest Your Souls.

Gary’s final resting place will be at the Willamette National Cemetery at a later date. Please contact family if you would like to be notified once the military ceremony is scheduled. 

Gary had many friends across the country. One of those close friends, Jon Nickles, wrote this:

 Elegy for Gary "Merry Prankster" Moeller

 The Seventies began in Oregon 

The God of all was a mountain 

Around and beneath we worshipped.

 In cabins in the woods we worshipped. 

In funky farmhouses in the valley,

In tribal trucks, buses and vans

On the road again we worshipped. 

In toke-fed trances, yogi stances, bluegrass dances 

Outside in handheld circle chants we worshipped.

 And the world could not intrude

On our paradise and we avoided the world 

And created our own reality which was not true. 

Cuz we'd come to the wedding unprepared 

We entered the temple without proper attire 

And our supposed spiritual practice

 Was merely a form of subtle desire. 

So all these years later Gary chose

To truly fly over the cuckoo's nest 

To the supreme state of sublime peace,

pain free. 

Go to the light Bubba... Don't be distracted.