Robert John Moren
Robert John Moren
Robert John Moren “Bob” passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 2025, at the age of 81, surrounded by his children, Lisa and Andrew. He was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 5, 1944, and adopted at age 3 by Roy and Mable Moren, who raised him in a loving Christian home with his siblings Jim and Diane. From the start, Bob was competitive, hardworking, and fiercely independent.
The Moren family later moved to Seattle, where Bob graduated from Ballard High School and met Dorene, the love of his life. His relentless work ethic led him to earn top certifications in the fire-sprinkler industry, building a long, steady career that provided stability for his family. Bob and Dorene shared more than 60 years together, raising two children and later enjoying a deep bond with their grandchildren, Allison and Nathaniel.
Bob had a remarkable photographic memory and could recall every sprinkler system he ever designed. A natural leader, he trained and mentored countless people—always encouraging, always believing in their potential. He built strong teams, faced down challenges, and found creative solutions everywhere.
He was known for his optimism and humor. Bob had a gift for lifting spirits with a misplaced joke or one of his famous “Bob-isms.” He was the person you called on your hardest day and the one who made good days even better. His favorite reassurance, delivered with complete conviction, was: “Everything is going to be okay.”
In 2007, Bob and his son created the world’s first inspection-tracking method for fire and life-safety systems—an innovation that transformed the industry. The patented system remains the National Standard today, protecting millions of people.
In 2017, Bob and Dorene moved to Chandler, Ariz., and embraced retirement in the SunBird community. Bob became an avid golfer again, happily sharpening his swing and spending time with his golf friends.
A DNA test later connected Bob with his birth family. Though his birth mother, Phylis, had passed, he was reunited with his half-sister Lori and his aunt Beverly. Their warm welcome brought unexpected healing and peace to his final years.
Bob’s heart was broken when Dorene passed in May. Even through grief, he pushed himself to keep living—working with a trainer, learning healthier cooking, joining a church, and traveling—until complications with his kidneys took him unexpectedly.
Bob is survived by his children, Lisa Anderson and Andrew (Tracey) Moren; grandchildren Allison (Foster) Himmelstein and Nathaniel Moren; sister Diane (Tom) Saari; brother-in-law Darol Reynolds; and his newly found family members, including Lori (John) Graci and Beverly. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jim, and his beloved wife, Dorene.
He is dearly, deeply loved and missed.
Darlene “Gram” “Dolly” Thompson
Darlene “Gram” “Dolly” Thompson
In Loving Memory
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved mom and grandma, Darlene Thompson, known to so many simply as “Gram” or “Dolly.” She left us peacefully on Oct. 27, 2025, surrounded by family, after several weeks filled with love, laughter, stories, and tears.
Mom is survived by her son, Steven L. Thompson (wife Cary Thompson; son Lars Thompson, and daughter-in-law Vicky Thompson) and her daughter, Rebecca Thompson (daughter Samantha McGee and husband Kyle McGee, son Chase Clark, and daughter Madi Clark and her/our Mason Varney); her sister, Betty Parr; and many nieces and nephews.
Darlene was born June 8, 1938. If you knew our Gram, you know she never missed a beat. Every game, concert, recital, and graduation, she was there, smiling ear to ear and cheering the loudest. She was the heart of our family; strong, kind, funny, and always ready with a hug and, of course, some fried ice cream before dinner (because life is too short to wait for dessert!).
Even through pain or hardship, she was the same bright light, always smiling, positive, and thinking of others first. Every caretaker, nurse, and hospice worker said she was their favorite, and just like them, she was ours too. She made everyone feel special with her kindness, warmth, and endless love.
She spent many happy years in the SunBird Resort Community surrounded by wonderful friends, especially Yvonne Beloney and Ken Reidenbach, sharing laughter and memories we’ll treasure forever. In 2021, she came to live with us, and we’re forever grateful for those precious years together. Rebecca and Darlene moved to Oakwood in 2024.
Our family would like to share our heartfelt gratitude to Adora Assisted Living for their incredible care and compassion over the past six months. Joey, you are truly an angel, and an exceptional chef, according to Mom. We are also thankful to Hospice of the West Valley for their comfort and support when we needed it most.
It is impossible to express how much love and support we have felt since Mom’s first stroke in March. To everyone who called, visited, prayed, or simply kept her in your thoughts, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Though our hearts ache, we find peace knowing she is no longer in pain and watching over us, just as she always has.
We love you always Mom.