Richard James Moran, 90, died on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at his residence in Fairbury. In his final days, he spoke of Mother Mary, finding comfort in her presence as he prepared for his final journey.

Cremation rites have been accorded by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. A gathering in Richard’s honor will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Fairbury Community Food Pantry, 510 East Oak St, Fairbury, IL 61739.

Richard was born July 12, 1936, in Bismarck, ND, the son of Llewellyn and Grace (English) Moran. He spent most of his childhood in Minot, North Dakota, with his four brothers: Bob, John, Bill, and Tom. He graduated high school in 1954 and served in the United States Air Force (January 1955 – September 1958) obtaining the rank of Airman First Class, and played on the Air Force Golf Team overseas.

He is preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and William Moran.

He married Debra Amberg on September 8, 1978, in Danvers, IL. Richard and Debra met while working at the same hospital in Crow Agency, Montana, and despite their 19-year age difference, they quickly fell in love. They began their life together in Sheridan, Montana, where they spent ten years before moving to Illinois. She survives in Fairbury, Illinois.

Other survivors include his children: Stacey (James) Whitmire, Navarre, FL; Richard (Sara) Moran, North Oak, MN; Patrick Moran, Marana, AZ; Meghann (Jaymie) Moran, Ennis, MT; Trevar Moran, Fairbury, IL; Cailin (Andy) Melka, Mt. Prospect, IL; eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and two brothers, John (Janice) Moran, NE and Thomas (Charlette) Moran, CO.

Richard earned his Bachelors of Science in Microbiology from Montana State University, Bozeman. He served as Lab Director at Fairbury Hospital and later retired as a Clinical Laboratory Technician at St. James Hospital in Pontiac, Illinois. His children grew up getting pulled into his laboratory for lessons on the ins and outs of his work and no suspected strep throat went untested—whether in the kitchen, the garage or wherever he happened to be. Even in retirement, working at the Fairbury water plant, he continued to love giving his children tours at the workplace.

Richard was a brilliant microbiologist, a lifelong learner and a man whose curiosity never faded. One of the most remarkable examples of his legacy came in 1996 when his wife Debra fell curiously ill. Trusting his instincts, he drew her blood in the kitchen and took it to his lab. Although it wasn't typical to do so he decided to run a test on her heart enzymes. When the results raised concern, he sped Debra back to the hospital, where her heart soon stopped beating for the first of three times that day. She later received a life-saving heart transplant. There is little doubt that Richard's knowledge and intuition saved her life.

Decades before, that same instinct and quick thinking saved another life. While working in the emergency room at the Ruby Valley Hospital in Sheridan, Richard encountered a one-year-old boy with a fever of 106 degrees whose life was slipping away. Recognizing the severity of the child's condition, Richard trusted his instincts and ran blood tests the doctor had not ordered. Those tests revealed bacterial meningitis, a diagnosis that may otherwise have been missed. After 17 days in the hospital, the boy survived and is now a healthy 44-year-old. The family never forgot the man who helped save their son, later honoring Richard's lasting impact by naming their daughter after his own.

This was another extraordinary moment that showed just how much his brilliance mattered—not only in his work, but to the people he loved most.

Richard loved people, plain and simple. His children’s friends were always welcome in his home and the door was always open, making the Moran house a constant place to gather and eat a fried egg. He was accepting, genuinely interested in others, and exceptional in his ability to remember names, details, and stories about everyone in his life.

He also loved music and dancing. He and Deb could dance all night at weddings and outings, and did so from beginning to end. Richard had a love for his Cadillacs, enjoyed a good game of pool, and spent many a weekend on the golf course with friends. At home, he was happiest with a good book, cribbage with Deb or a game of Yahtzee. There was something special about being around that table, where a good hand, a lucky roll, and a little friendly competition could bring everyone together. His love of games and good company lives on in his children.

And then there were his stories. Richard had a signature opening: “To make a long story short.” What followed was rarely short. It always meant settling in for a tale filled with background information, unexpected detours, and details he considered essential. Richard didn't just tell stories; he brought people, places, and memories back to life.

We will miss his stories, even the ones that weren't nearly as short as promised. We will miss seeing him sitting on the front porch, his sense of humor, his familiar routines, and the way he could turn an ordinary conversation into something worth remembering. He knew his own mind, stood firmly by what he believed and always gave you something to think about. As Dick would often say to his children, “don’t take any wooden nickels” and “know your limitations”.

Ninety years is a remarkable milestone, and Richard was a remarkable man. He filled his years with good conversation. He had genuine interest in the people he met along the way. He showed us that curiosity is a lifelong pursuit and that a little humor goes a long way. He taught us that family stories deserve to be told and retold, and that some of the best moments happen around a table with nothing more than a deck of cards.

P.S. Price is Right is still on every weekday 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Central time.

Online condolences may be made at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.