Troy Lester Mooneyham

On November 22, 2025, Rev. Troy Lester Mooneyham, Jr. died peacefully, surrounded by his children, in White Bear Lake, MN.

Troy was born on April 17, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA. As the son of a Naval Chief, he spent his early years living around the world, an upbringing that nurtured his curiosity, resilience, and openness to people from all walks of life. He attended high school in Garden Grove, CA, and went on to earn a degree in History and Social Studies from California State University, Fullerton. During college, Troy worked at Disneyland, where he met Annette Suzanne Mooneyham (Meyer). They married on August 7, 1967, beginning a partnership marked by deep love, shared faith, and 53 years of devotion.

Shortly after their wedding, Troy enlisted in the Navy and served four years as an Intelligence Officer. His commitment to service continued with his call to ministry, earning his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN in 1974. Over the course of his vocation as an ELCA Lutheran pastor, Troy faithfully served three congregations, with his last 20 years at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Eugene, OR. His ministry was shaped by compassion, steady leadership, and a warm sense of humor. He is remembered for his ability to listen, his gift for making others feel at home and his passion for the Oregon Ducks.

Troy was preceded in death by his parents, Troy Sr. and Emma Mooneyham; and by his beloved wife, Annette. He is survived by his three children-Kimberly Anderson (Jerry), Kristin Johnson (Scott), and Sean Mooneyham; and by five grandchildren, Quinn, Lilian, Ainsley, Alanna, and Faith, all who brought him immense joy and pride.

A memorial service celebrating Troy's life and ministry is being planned for the summer of 2026 in Eugene, OR. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to the PBS Foundation, Troy found great joy in their programming and believed deeply in the importance of public storytelling and education.