Tributes

The life journey of Dr. Alvin F. Moreland, Sr., “Al,” ended peacefully at home on July 28, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Born on September 5, 1931, he led a wonderful and fulfilling life as evidenced by the title of his autobiography: “Smelling Roses and Basking in Sunshine.” The middle of three sons of Robert H. and Laura Eloise Moreland, Al was born in Morven, GA. After graduating high-school in 1948, he attended Georgia Teachers College earning a B.S. in Education in 1951; in 1952, he graduated from University of Georgia with a M.S. in Education. Instead of accepting a scholarship for doctoral study, he was commissioned into the US Navy and served on the USS Laffey which participated in the Korean coastal blockade during the Korean War. Upon returning to the US, he was reassigned to the USS Wilhoite and stationed in Charleston, S.C. It was during this time that he met and married Mary Ellen Hardee, a nurse at Roper Hospital. When the Wilhoite was assigned to Seattle, WA, Al and Mary moved there for Al to complete the last year of his enlistment. They returned to Georgia where Al graduated from the University of Georgia veterinary medicine program in 1960. He entered a postdoctoral program in Laboratory Animal Medicine at Wake Forest University’s Bowman-Gray School of Medicine completing it in 1962. Al’s first position was with the University of Virginia in Charlottesville later moving to Gainesville, FL as the Director of Animal Resources at the University of Florida (UF). In 1968, he served on the UF committee that recommended the development of a veterinary college and conducted the search for its first dean. Al’s appointment expanded to become part of the UF Veterinary College where he served as chair of the Department of Special Clinical Sciences. In 1982, Al added to his work commitments and became the attending veterinarian for the Kennedy Space Center, a consulting position which he held into his 80’s. Al retired from UF in 1995. Across these years, Al and Mary opened their home to the many students he mentored bringing them into the family. His work took him around the world, including South America, Europe, Alaska, South Africa, and Australia. Al was very active in professional organizations throughout his career, holding leadership positions in most. These included: National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM), American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), and American Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (AALAS). Throughout his life journey, Al had a deep love for wildlife and farm life. He was happiest caring for and being close to the land and telling stories to his family and friends. He and Mary enjoyed many post-retirement years on their farm in Aikin, SC. Mary predeceased him in 2011. Al then spent many more happy years living close to the land on his farm in Monticello, FL with Nina Ring. He is predeceased by his two brothers, Robert H. Moreland, Jr. and Edsel Clyde Moreland. Al is survived by three children, Donna Ellen (Moreland) Granger (m. Ted Granger), Alvin Franklin Moreland, Jr. (m. Katherine Hanson), and Clyde Hamilton Moreland; six grandchildren, Drew Moreland, Colin Granger, Caitlin Moreland, Nathan Granger, Max Moreland, and Reese Moreland; and two great-grandchildren, Dylan Moreland and Juliette Moreland. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 in Tallahassee for family and friends followed later by a graveside service for the family at Mt. Vernon Church in Kingstree, S.C. where Al and Mary were married and where Mary is buried. If you would like to attend his celebration, please RSVP via granger@bio.fsu.edu. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Dr. Alvin F. Moreland, DVM

September 5, 1931 - July 28, 2024