Ralph “Skip” Moore, age 74, of St. Ignace, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2025. Born on September 15, 1950, Skip grew up in St. Ignace where he was lovingly and patiently raised, along with his brother, Jack, by their grandparents, Eleanor and Kenneth Yahrmatter, after the early loss of their mother.
A proud graduate of LaSalle High School with the Class of 1968, he was known for his athleticism, participating in basketball, football, Tae Kwon Do, and playing the saxophone in the band, among other activities. During high school, he met the love of his life, Julianna Krause, and worked at the A&P grocery store as a butcher to save money for college.
Skip and Julie attended Northern Michigan University (NMU) in Marquette, Michigan. They married in 1971, and both graduated in 1973 from NMU with teaching degrees. After graduation, they purchased their first home in Marquette. The couple welcomed their first child, Tim, in June 1976. Soon after, they moved back to St. Ignace, where they purchased the Four Star Motel and began building a life together. Their second son, Mike, was born in May 1979. They met many interesting people and made lifelong friends during their years in business. Some would bring gifts, and some provided him with the best stories, which he loved to share.
Skip dedicated his professional life to the Mackinac Bridge Authority, where he worked from the time he moved back to St. Ignace until his retirement in 2012. He also worked tirelessly alongside Julie to run the Four Star Motel until they sold it in 2019, all while being a dedicated husband, father, and provider.
A passionate skier, Skip, instilled his love for the sport in his sons, teaching them to ski at an early age at the local Silver Mountain. He was deeply involved in the community, supporting the ski hill in numerous ways. Including helping to relocate it when the expansion of Highway US 2 threatened its location. Skip worked with local families, including his wife and sons, to construct the current base lodge at the current hills tubing and sledding area. He also belonged to a men’s bowling league and played men’s basketball. Skip attended and recorded every concert, sporting event, and activity his sons participated in. Throughout his life he took great joy in motorcycle riding, good jokes, playing harmonica, telling stories, family gatherings, meditation, ice skating on the bay, and going to the beach.
Skip’s family and faith meant the world to him. He is survived by Julie, his wife of fifty-three years; sons, Tim (Marcie) and Mike (Michelle); his three precious granddaughters, Kaylie, Jadilyn, and Adaline; brother, Jack (Laura); brothers-in-law, Paul (LuAnn) Krause, Joe (Sandy) Krause and Tom Krause; as well as many much-loved nieces and nephews and countless friends from his close-knit St. Ignace community.
A Celebration of Skip’s Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Skip’s honor be made to the United Methodist Church, 615 US-2 W, St Ignace, MI 49781, or the Bob Buchholz Scholarship Fund at Gros Cap School, W1828 Gros Cap Rd, St Ignace, MI 49781.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
