Michael Alvin "Hightower" Moreno

Michael Alvin “Hightower” Moreno, 47, of Newport, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2022, at his home.

His funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, September 11th, at Munden Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Craig Hearne. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday, September 10th, at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City. There will also be a reception, for immediate family and close friends, at the Broad Creek Fire Department following the funeral service. For those unable to attend the funeral service, it can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.      (See link below for the Service Bulletin including the Order of Service.)

Michael was born on February 5, 1975, in Honolulu, Hawaii and graduated from West Carteret High School with the Class of 1994. With a life dedicated to others, Michael spent years ensuring the safety of others through his career with the Wildwood Fire Department from 1991 - 2000, Bridgeton Police Department, Bridgeton Emergency Medical Services and Convalescent Transports. Michael also worked as a Correction Officer and with Furniture Distributors.

Michael will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother, and uncle to his family, including his wife, Sonya Garner Moreno; daughter, Abigail Moreno of New Bern; stepdaughter, Jasmine Alexis Garner of Jacksonville, FL; step-sons, William “Billy” Warren Jr. of Newport and Joshua Adam Bulluck of Jacksonville, FL; mother, Penny Cosner Moreno of New Bern; father, David Moreno of Newport; brothers, Robbie Moreno and wife Stormie of Selma, Danny “Julio” Moreno and wife Hope of Newport, and Jeremy Kennedy and wife Jennifer of Jacksonville; step-mother, Pat Welliver; step-brothers, Gordon E. Welliver, Robert J. Valousky, and Chad T. Valousky; aunts, Bonnie Pierce, Antoinette “Toni” George and Polly Houseknecht; cousins, D.A. Bell and wife Amanda, Bradley Pierce and wife Brittany, Tracy Lee Fowler, Todd Alan Houseknecht, Tiffany Renee Hoskins, Eric Michael Annese, and Fawn Marie McKay; first cousins, Lily Guthrie, Xander Pierce, Gabrielle Luehmann, Ethan Johnson, Chase Hawken, Conner Bell, Connor McKay, Kiera McKay, Darren Houseknecht, Breanna Fowler, Britney Houseknecht, Ava Belle Hoskins, and Evan Cole Hoskins; nieces and nephews, Austin Kent Moreno, Rebekah-Lynne Madison Moreno, Daniel Reed Moreno Jr., Timothy James Moreno, Cheyenne Nicole Moreno, Jillian Nancy Rose Kennedy, Courtney Danielle Batten and husband David E. Batten, Courtney Dawn Moreno, Autumn Harley Davis, and Robbie "Bryant" Moreno; great nieces, Madeline Grace Zubovic, Nimah Cagle, Rayeanna Storm Batten, Paisley Mae Armstrong, and Kentley Rae Moreno; granddaughter, Ireland Mae-Grace Tripp; best friend since high school, Nathan Lohr; and his furry dog, Buddy.

Michael was preceded in death by his biological father, Robert H. Welliver; stepdaughter, Jamey Yvonne Mills; grandparents, Harold “Pappy” Cosner, Nancy Cosner, Grandma Moreno who gave Michael his nick name “Mike-Ke-Ke”, Curtis Welliver, and Ann Welliver; aunts, Tina Louise Cosner, Mary Ann Giger and Ida Faux; uncle, Harold “Skip” Cosner Jr.; and nephew, Christopher Dixon.

His loving family also includes his mother-in-law, Sarah Stermer; father-in-law, Chris Stermer; special recognition of James Francis Garner (Sonya’s dad who died in 2006); brother-in-law, Frank F. Garner and wife Michelle; grandparents-in-law, Gordon and Sue Armstrong; aunts and uncles-in-law, Daniel Eli Garner Sr., William A. Patten, Terri Charron and husband Reggie, Brian Garner, Michael Garner, Paul and Cindy Garner, and Dean and Cheryl Garner; nephews-in-law, Jules, Brandon and Jace Garner; cousins-in-law, William Garner, Chris Garner, Deborah Lynn Garner, and Daniel Eli Garner Jr.; adopted stepdaughter, Lindsey and husband Dustin Rentz; and honorary sister, Shauna Ross and husband Scott.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.