Senate Concurrent Resolution 575

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF TOM MOORE, JR., GULF COAST CIVIC LEADER AND FOUNDING FATHER OF D'IBERVILLE, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, the City of D'Iberville, Mississippi, lost one of its founding fathers and a caring visionary on February 14, 2014, with the passing of Thomas J. Moore, Jr., Moore, 72, was a lifetime resident of D'Iberville. He helped nurture into its present footing as one of the Coast's growing regions; and

WHEREAS, Tom Moore was on the city's Incorporation Committee and played an integral part in giving D'Iberville a jump-start in 1988. He served as Councilman of Ward 1 for 10 years. One of his sons, Tom Moore III, said his father always saw the best in D'Iberville and was pleased to see what the city had become. In addition to serving D'Iberville politically, Moore was an educator who spent time in the banking industry; and

WHEREAS, Tom was born in D'Iberville, Mississippi, on June 15, 1941. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in D'Iberville and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi in 1959. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1963. Tom earned a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Louisiana State University in New Orleans in 1966. In 1978, he earned a Specialist Triple-A Certification in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Tom was a Teacher in Harrison County, Mississippi; St Bernard Parish, Louisiana; and Biloxi, Mississippi. He served as an Assistant Principal at St. Martin High School for three years and Principal at D'Iberville Middle School for 13 years. He was also a Drug Education Coordinator for Harrison County Schools for eight years. Also, Tom worked in the Banking Industry for five years at First Mississippi National Bank; and

WHEREAS, he was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 9094 and Mark Landry 4th Degree Council of Sacred Heart Parish of D'Iberville. Tom was very active in community affairs. He was instrumental in organizing the North Biloxi Jaycees and the D'Iberville-St Martin Chamber of Commerce. He served as an officer in both organizations. Tom worked diligently toward the incorporation of the City of D'Iberville. He served on the City Council of D'lberville for 10 years as Councilman of Ward 1. He retired from the Harrison County School District in 1996 and spent the last years of his life devoting his time to family, especially his grandchildren. In his retirement he stayed active in the lives of his family and had an avid interest in community affairs; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of 48 years, Delores Hagan Moore; sons: Thomas J. Moore III (Andrea) of D'Iberville, James Edward Moore (Dianne) of Slidell and Michael Stephen Moore (Brandy) of D'Iberville; grandchildren: Caden Moore, Matthew Moore, Eli Moore, Bradley Brimmer and Lilliana Moore; sister, Johnetta Moore, Fayard (Michael) of D'Iberville; brother, George Lou Moore of D'Iberville; and sister-in-law, Yvonne Hagan Gulotta of Port Vincent, Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, we cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy is his legacy for the Mississippi Gulf Coast:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to the memory of Tom Moore, Jr., Gulf Coast Civic Leader and Founding Father of the City of D'Iberville, Mississippi, and express our sympathy to his surviving family on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Tom Moore, transmitted to the D'Iberville Mayor and Board of Aldermen and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.