Alfred Clay Moore III

Alfred "Clay" Moore III (aka Al, Fred, Freddie, Clay, Dad, and C-pappy) passed away on December 29th, 2023, following a 5-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was surrounded by family, love, laughter, and tears. Clay was born in Minneapolis on January 14, 1949 to Lorraine (Tokar) and Alfred Clay Moore Jr. He grew up and went to school in St. Louis Park with his sister Nancy and was a proud graduate of the University of Minnesota, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Anthropology.

Clay was often described as a "jolly" guy and could never pass up a good, or bad, dad-joke. To those who knew him best, he was a thoughtful, creative, goofy, and bright man who was a loving father and husband. To those who knew him less, he was “that random stranger” who loved nothing more than to hear your life story and become an instant friend.

Clay was a true Renaissance Man, with many passions and talents, from science and history to politics and sports. He could frequently be seen in NASA or Indiana Jones attire, doing his best Josh Gates impersonation, and following along with his adventures watching Expedition Unknown and Destination Truth. His wife surprised him with tickets to see Josh in person for Christmas 2022. It was one of their last “dates” they were able to enjoy together. He could binge watch anything Sci-Fi, especially StarGate SG1 and Star Trek. He always wanted to go to space and we hope now he is getting his chance! He put his creativity and intelligence to work as an amateur inventor and architect, despite the occasional eye rolls from his family. He had his own, unique connection with each of his children, Brittany – baseball; Chelsea – politics; Maddie – Watching StarGate SG1; Jesse – science, science, science! But the passion most people knew him for was baseball.

He grew up playing baseball (in addition to soccer and lacrosse), played varsity baseball in high school and club baseball and fencing in college. Between high school and college, Clay attended an open try-out for the Minnesota Twins at Metropolitan Stadium where he and two of his friends were invited back for a second round of try-outs before, ultimately, being cut “because he was too short”. He played baseball semi-professionally after college for the Union Printers International Baseball League, one of the oldest and longest running baseball leagues in the country. He would go on to be inducted into the UPIBL Hall of Fame and his accolades can be found in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. Clay coaches his daughter, Brittany and his son Jesse, as well as many other children for years through St. Louis Park baseball. In the words of countless individuals, “Clay made baseball fun”. He continued playing baseball until the age of 60 as the first baseman for the Bloomington Eagles of the Senior Men's Amateur Baseball Association.

Clay worked as a Loss Control Consultant in the Insurance industry for over 40 years, with most of his time as an employee of Farmers Insurance. His kids referred to him as a "safety freak" due to his creative ways in which he ensured all the kids' toys and activities were "up to code".

Clay is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Lori (Neale) of Eagan, MN; four children, Brittany (Nick) Schneider, Chelsea (Mike) Moore-Ritchie; Madysen, and Jesse; four grandchildren, Quinnlyn, Finn, Sawyer, and Beckett; His sister Nancy (Earl) Zimmerman of Corcoran, MN; His sister Marjorie Dixon of Queensland, Australia; along with countless extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Lorraine.

He will be dearly missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Clay's name to either the MN Girls Baseball Association (https://www.mngirlsbaseball.org/donate-1) or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/).

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 2nd at 2 pm at the Congregational Church of Excelsior; 471 3rd St, Excelsior, MN 55331.

An open house-style wake will be held on Thursday, February 1st from 1-4 pm at The Park Tavern's 11th Frame, 3401 Louisiana Ave S, St Louis Park, MN 55426.

The family is planning a memorial baseball/whiffle ball game in the spring. More details to follow.