Long-time San Diego photographer Ion Walker Moe, 59, will be honored in a memorial
service on Saturday, May 4 in Mission Valley.
Ion, a beloved husband, father, son and friend, passed away on April 11 in El Cajon, California. Services will be held at 11 a.m. at the Mission Church of the Nazarene, 4750 Mission Gorge Place. All friends are welcome.
Ion was born to Lynne Ann Walker and David Eimon Moe on August 23, 1964 in Vermont, but in truth Ion became a true San Diego County native. He created his life in the communities he loved and served in his career.
As an only child, Ion’s early years were spent in Putney, Vermont and later in Normal Heights in a home that he and his Mother shared with his Uncle Richard, Aunt Peggy and cousin Becky. It was during this time that he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease and underwent radiation and chemotherapy.
As a young man, he fought back, and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1982. Ion attended San Diego State University, where he studied Journalism and served as photo editor for the Daily Aztec. At the same time, he pursued his interest in music, becoming a late-night deejay for KCR, the college radio station. Ion’s first job was with The Star News community newspaper in Chula Vista, starting during his last year of college. His beat was the South Bay community from 1992 to 1997, covering breaking news, high school sports and “Pet of the Week.” His photographic talent was immeasurable and helped capture much of the history of the South Bay in those years. At the newspaper, he met his future wife, Yvette Urrea, a staff writer. They married in 2001.
After The Star-News, Ion went to work as photo editor for the Daily Californian in the East County until 2001, then he joined The Alpine Sun for another year. He won many awards over the course of his career from the California Newspaper Association.
In 2003, he worked as a photographer for a Child I.D. company at schools for more than a decade and also freelanced for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District as a photographer.
Early in his professional career photojournalist Ion Moe went to take photographs at the National City Marina. According to his wife Yvette, Ion parked his car and forgot to set his parking brake and “The next thing he knew, he turned around to see his car rolling down the boat ramp.” As any good photojournalist would do Ion captured images of his sinking vehicle while a fisherman tried in vain to pull it out with a little dingy.
Ion and his wife built a life filled with love, laughter, some travel, toy cars, yellow action figures, dolls, and cats until they welcomed their only son, Evan Julian Moe, in 2010. Their focus grew even wider with the arrival of their gorgeous son, adding Thomas the Train, Pokemon and Boy Scouts to their family interests. Ion enjoyed his role as Evan’s Papa more than any other.
Ion had a talent and eye for photography both in his work and as a hobby. Though his health was failing, Ion remained attached to the camera. Through his social media accounts, he became known for his frequent themed photo collections. With his sly comments and talent with puns, he developed a following with folks who never met him but who tried to outwit him. Most recently, he also found joy through his online local and international music groups where there was much discussion and music sharing.
Ion’s spirit of generosity extended beyond his family. He often captured special moments for friends and family as a photographer, and he volunteered with Cub Scouts when his son was younger.
Ion’s health began to decline in the last six years, but he kept that private. He was recently diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer and was taken much too soon from his family and all those who love him.
Ion’s family is comforted by family and friends who came from near and far to visit him in his last days and have reached out to extend condolences and share memories of happier days.
Ion got a second chance at life after his first battle with cancer and he lived a beautiful life because he had a kind and humorous spirit that was felt by all who came to know him. To some, he might have come across as shy and quiet, but he had Dad jokes and zingers coming out of his ears.
Predeceased by his father, Ion’s memory is honored and kept alive by his wife Yvette, his son Evan, his mother Lynne, and other family as well as the many, many friends he made in his lifetime. will be deeply missed.
The Mission Church will set up a livestream link for those who cannot attend in person. It will be posted on Facebook, or can be emailed or sent by text.
