Santa Clara, Utah, Mickey (Mick) K. Moss, nearly 85 years old, passed away peacefully from Parkinson’s Disease surrounded by his loving family on Friday, November 10, 2023. Mick was born on November 21, 1938, in Salt Lake City to Delbert (Deb) and Ruth Emery Moss. Mick married Marquita Campos Moss on November 16, 1968, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Together they had three kids and 55 wonderful years.
Mick was raised in Bountiful, Utah and was the fourth of five children. He worked as his father’s milk hop for the family’s dairy, Moss Dairy. Mickey served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 – 1960. As a civilian he chose to live in Honolulu, Hawaii. There he worked for the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (later renamed the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration – NOAA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce at the Honolulu Federal Building. In 1963 he transferred to the Pacific Tide Party at Pearl Harbor as a survey technician. Mickey got to do incredible things during his long and interesting career. He installed and maintained tide stations all over the Pacific and was instrumental in establishing the first Tsunami Warning System. He was also part of the Hawaii Air National Guard as a Staff Sergeant for the 199th Weather Flight from 1961 - 1968.
In 1973 he was transferred to the Seattle, Washington office with NOAA. Mick, Marquita, and Charlie moved into a new house in Richmond Beach where the family grew to include Andy and Malia. He traveled extensively for work installing and maintaining tide gauges all over the South Pacific and up and down the west coast from California to Alaska. He was promoted in 1996 to the Division Chief of the Pacific Field Operations for NOAA’s National Ocean Survey. He retired in 2004 after nearly 48 years of government service. Following retirement, Mick and Quita moved to Bothell, Washington, and in 2015 they relocated to sunny Southern Utah (Santa Clara).
Mick and Marquita were incredibly involved in their community, especially Richmond Jr. Football. The family had so many treasured friends and fun adventures together. Mick was proud of his children and grandchildren and was the very best husband, Dad, and Papa. He had many friends and family who adored him dearly because he was so incredibly loving, intelligent, funny, dedicated, and kind.
He is survived by his wife, Marquita Campos Moss, and their children Charlie (Denise) Moss, Andy (Mandy) Moss, and Malia (Anthony) McDermott; and seven grandchildren: Alena, Thia, Cienna, Ocean, Chelsie, AJ, and Leilani. He is also survived by his sisters Joyce Petersen and Linda Jarman. He was preceded in death by his parents Deb and Ruth, and brothers Donald and Ralph. Mickey is also preceded in death by his favorite dog, Kona.
An open house celebration of Mick’s life will be held at their Santa Clara, Utah home on Saturday, December 9th from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to remember Mick by learning more about the Tsunami Warning System at www.tsunami.gov, opening your home to a friend, cheering for your favorite Seattle sports team, enjoying a great latte, and telling a good joke.
Special thanks to Dr. William Esplin, Intermountain Home Health and Hospice team, and Spilsbury Mortuary for their amazing care and support.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Mikey’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com
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Beverly Dyches Hansen
Dear Marquita,
May all your lovely memories keep you comforted in the days and years ahead.
Always in my heart and prayers
RIP to your wonderful husband
My deepest condolences
Sindi
Hey Mick, I am so sorry to hear you've passed on. You were very instrumental in getting me hired onto the Tide Party where I worked for you until your retirement. It was the job I was born to do and I thank you for your stories, mentoring and the opportunity to help build the amazing data set that NOAA curates. Not only that but I met my wife working in your office! So many memories and I treasure them all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity. You were one of a kind and will be missed.
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick will be missed by all that knew him. His genuine spirit and kindness we always so pleasant to be around. Rest in Peace Mick
Mick - you and I worked together over many years and I got to share a few of those adventures your life was filled with. You taught me a lot over that time and were a good friend as well as a valued colleague. I was saddened to hear that you have left us but am sure the big guy needs tide gauges up there as well and now has a much-needed expert. I will miss you a lot and send my sincere condolences to your family. Rich E.
Mick - you and I worked together over many years and I got to share a few of those adventures your life was filled with. You taught me a lot over that time and were a good friend as well as a valued colleague. I was saddened to hear that you have left us but am sure the big guy needs tide gauges up there as well and now has a much-needed expert. I will miss you a lot and send my sincere condolences to your family. Rich E.
Mick - you and I worked together over many years and I got to share a few of those adventures your life was filled with. You taught me a lot over that time and were a good friend as well as a valued colleague. I was saddened to hear that you have left us but am sure the big guy needs tide gauges up there as well and now has a much needed expert. I will miss you a lot and send my sincere condolences to your family. Rich E.
Mick - you and I worked together a long time and I got to share of few of those adventures your life was filled with. You taught me a lot over that time and were a good friend as well as a valued colleague. I was saddened to hear that you have left us but am sure the big guy needs tide gauges up there as well. I will miss you a lot and send my sincere condolences to your family. Rich E.