John E. Moultrey

John Earl Moultrey, known affectionately to friends and family as John Earl. Born in the town of Winston Salem, NC, on January 3, 1958, John Earl made his grand exit on September 9, 2024, in Reading, PA, after a bout with asphyxiation due to a blockage to his airways. John Earl's early days were spent in the classrooms of Reading Technical Institute, where he honed the skills that would see him become a master mechanic and the go-to guy whenever something was broken mainly because he was the one who broke it in the first place.

But let's not dwell on the nuts and bolts of life. He was the kind of guy who would watch "Law and Order" with the intensity of a detective, dissect "The Sopranos" like a family counselor, and tune into "General Hospital" with the concern of a surgeon. His love for TV dramas was only matched by his enthusiasm for the barbershop, where he'd hold court like a bald king, proving that hair is entirely optional when it comes to socializing.

When it came to music, John Earl's tastes were as eclectic as his toolbox. He could groove to 60s-80s RnB with the smooth moves of a soul man, then switch gears to rap along with Jay-Z and DMX as if he'd missed his calling to be a hip-hop artist. And who could forget those long car rides with music blasting, where he'd turn a simple drive into a rolling concert.

John Earl was a family man through and through. He loved cookouts and always making sure his grill was hotter than his jokes. His wife, the late Carmen Lisette Rivera, was his sous-chef in life and love. Together they raised a crew of kids: Jovanni, the son who inherited his temper and humor; Armani, the kid with his knack for music; and Iris, his little itty bitty. John Earl gave life to his eldest daughter Taniesha who inherited his strong work ethic and ability to persevere through any obstacle and win. His legacy continued with his granddaughter Thalia Jacobs and a grandson who surely inherited grandpa's charm.

Basketball was another of John Earl's slam dunks. He coached young men with the wisdom of a philosopher and the strategy of a general. And working out? He did it with the intensity of someone defusing a bomb, proving that sweat is just fat crying in defeat.

Feeling needed was his favorite hobby, and he was as dependable as a light switch, very sometimey. He had a sweet tooth that could put Willy Wonka out of business, with hard candy, mints, and cinnamon drops as his treasured treats. And let's not forget his love affair with Dr Pepper and coffee, the only love triangle his wife approved of.

John Earl leaves behind a family tree that's more like a mighty oak: his children Taniesha, Jovanni, Armani, and Iris; his grandkids, including Thalia and a grandson who will no doubt inherit his zest for life; his siblings Carolean, David McCoy, and Angela Snowden; and he joins in the great beyond his wife Carmen (Lisie), mother Josie, and siblings Shelia, Linda (Cookie), and William.

So here's to John Earl Moultrey, a man who lived life like it was a party to which everyone was invited……. sometimes. He left us as he lived—unexpectedly and with a story that could only end with, "You just had to be there." Raise a glass of Dr Pepper or a cup of coffee in his honor, and remember, in the words of his favorite rappers, life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced. Keep the music loud, the grill hot, and the candy bowl full, just as he would have wanted.

JOHN WANTED TO BE CREMATED, HE WILL BE BURIED WITH MY MOTHER AT LAURELDALE CEMETERY ON 4631 POTTSVILLE PIKE, READING, PA 19605. THERE WILL BE A SERVICE AT 1PM ON FRIDAY 9/20/2024, BEFORE HE IS LAID TO REST WITH HIS WIFE.

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