John Robert Moran

November 14, 1940 - May 16, 2020

John Robert Moran of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at the age of 79. After several years of battling with Parkinson’s disease, John spent his final days surrounded by his loving family. John never did anything half-way. In his eyes, if it was worth doing, it was worth doing right. He instilled that strong work ethic in his children, and it lives on today through his grandchildren. John was an executive in the cement, concrete, and aggregate industry for over thirty years, an enthusiast and supporter of the arts, enjoyed cooking for his family, and was an avid woodworker crafting beautiful pieces in his beloved shop that will be forever cherished. He was a devoted husband to his high-school sweetheart, Rina, and they shared a love for the 1877 sailing ship ELISSA, berthed in Galveston, Texas. It would be difficult to name anyone who was a more stalwart supporter of this famous vessel. He poured his time, talent, treasure, and heart into the ship, serving in just about every capacity imaginable, including volunteer crew member, mast captain, mate, chair of the ELISSA Committee, member of the Galveston Historical Foundation Board of Directors and its Steering Committee, and Interim Director of ELISSA and the Texas Seaport Museum. Throughout three decades, beginning in the late 1980s, John played crucial leadership roles in the success of the ELISSA and her parent organization. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Robert Moran and Mary Dean Smith Moran; and by his wife of 45 years, Rina Gadman Moran. He is survived by his children Dawna Moran Dyson and her husband David Dyson, John Robert Moran and his wife Cheri Moran; his beautiful granddaughters Emily Dyson, Jessica Cvijic and her husband Bozidar Cvijic; his loving sister Patricia Moran Eubanks and her husband Larry Eubanks, and all of his nieces and nephews. There will be a family gathering honoring John and he will be laid to rest with his wife at Saint Timothy’s Anglican Church in Spring, Texas. He was dearly loved and will be missed by his family and friends. People wishing to honor John’s life and legacy can make donations to the ELISSA through the Galveston Historical Foundation. Please send all donations to Galveston Historical Foundation c/o The Development Department, P.O. Box 149, Galveston, TX 77553 11