The Rev. John Moore, who served the Davis community for decades as a pastor, returned on Saturday, as the Cal Aggie Christian Association recognized the 92-year-old minister and his late spouse Barbara Moore with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

As part of the recognition, one of the dwellings in the multi-faith living community at CA House, 433 Russell Blvd., is being named in honor of the Moores.

The couple came to Davis in 1966, when John Moore became a campus pastor at UC Davis through the Cal Aggie Christian Association. It was a period of considerable social tumult, including civil rights marches and anti-war rallies.

Moore served as campus pastor in through 1972, then he and his wife returned to the community when Moore retired in the early 1980s. He was called as the interim pastor at Davis United Methodist Church during 1987, and continued to speak as a guest minister there on many occasions until he and his wife relocated to Southern California in 2001.

Barbara married John Moore in 1943. During her years in Davis, she was quite active with CA House, and also with local peace groups. She became an early volunteer when Sacramento’s Loaves and Fishes, a nonprofit group providing assistance to the homeless, which was organized in 1983, and continued to be a highly visible participant there for nearly 20 years.

Many Davis residents also fondly recall her appearances at community events in the role of the fortune-teller and psychic “Madame Barbara,” dispensing colorful advice. She died in 2004.

In recognizing the Moores with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Rev. Kristen Stoneking, current campus minister for the Cal Aggie Christian Association, and the Rev. Clay Ballard, who chairs the association’s board, mentioned the couple’s “legacy to CA House, UC Davis and the greater community” as well as their “leadership and ministry that inspired an entire generation of students, faculty and clergy by encouraging spiritual growth and fighting for social justice.”

In a brief interview after Sunday morning’s service at Davis United Methodist, Moore said he was impressed to visit the multi-faith living community, and feels honored to receive the award.

He fondly recalled the years in the 1960s and early ’70s when his children attended schools in Davis, participating in musical ensembles and other activities.

“It’s great to see the old places that I remember, and also the many changes,” he said. “And it’s wonderful to once again see our friends of 50 years, and attend worship again in Davis.”

Moore lives in the San Diego area with his daughter Rebecca, who is on the faculty at San Diego State University.

— Reach Jeff Hudson at [email protected] or (530) 747-8055.

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