Edward Dean Moffat

Edward Dean Moffat passed away peacefully on January 2, 2019 at Hospice of the Valley in Surprise, AZ, surrounded by his loving family. Ed was born on October 23, 1933 in Sparta IL, the son of Leon and Velva Moffat. Following his graduation from Sparta High School, Ed attended Central College in Fayette, MO on a basketball scholarship. During his junior year at Central, Ed met Kay, and so began their life-long journey. Following Ed's graduation from Central in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, Ed became a chemist at Grove Laboratories in St. Louis. Ed married Kay on August 28, 1955 and that fall, they moved to Great Lakes Naval Base in IL where he served 2 years in the U.S. Navy. Following his service, Ed and Kay returned to St. Louis where they raised their three daughters, Cheryl, Cindy and Christine. In 1974, Ed's family relocated to Madison, WI where he worked for Lab Products as a District Sales Manager for the Midwest Region until his retirement in 1999.

Following retirement, Ed expanded his passion for sailing on the lakes in the Madison area by devoted reading and study in all manner of boating navigation and safety and became an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Ed spent many hours on the Madison area lakes, patrolling with his fellow Auxiliarists and teaching marine safety classes. Ed held several positions in the Auxiliary over the years culminating with 2 years as District Captain 9th Western Region.

Ed enjoyed sailing/pontooning, camping, cooking, biking, playing bridge, reading, traveling and especially, times spent with his family and friends. Grandpa Ed was famous for his planned scavenger hunts on the annual family fall camping trip and for getting all his grandkids hooked on the Harry Potter series.

After 6 years of ""snowbird"" trips from WI to AZ, Ed and Kay moved permanently to the Phoenix area in 2015 where they met a new community of friends and enjoyed more time with Chris and Kevin, in addition to visits from the rest of the family escaping the Wisconsin/Minnesota winters to enjoy the Arizona sunshine.

Ed is survived by Kay, his wife of 63 years; daughters: Cheryl (Skip) Wright of Spicer MN, Cindy (Dave) Allen of Deerfield, WI, Christine (Kevin) Ronson of Peoria, AZ; grandchildren Colin Wright, Jackson Wright, Kelsey (Chad) Mulder, and Amanda Allen; sister Shirlee (Frank-deceased on 1/4/2019) Kirby, and nephews, Mark Kirby and Mike (Karen) Kirby.

Thank you to Hospice of the Valley for their tender care of Ed during his final days and for their exceptional care and attention for our family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed's honor to Hospice of the Valley, 14066 W. Waddell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85379.

We will miss him dearly but are thankful that God wrapped Ed/dad/grandpa in His loving arms, to sail above the trouble waves of illness, to the most beautiful sunset imaginable. ""Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord our God will be with you wherever you go."" Joshua 1:9b

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3325 East Washington Avenue, Madison
608-249-6666