Former Johnston County Commissioner Thomas “Tom” Monroe Moore passed away Thursday at Central Harnett Hospital. Moore was 87.
Moore served as a Johnston County Commissioner from 1996 until 2004.
Moore entered the US Navy in 1944 at the age of 15, with the approval of his mother. In 1946 he was discharged and returned home until 1948 when he enlisted into the US Air Force for four years.
From 1952 until 1953 he worked for IBM in Greensboro at which time he decided to go to college and obtain his Degree in Civil Engineering from NC State University, 1958. Moore worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers from 1958 until 1959 and transferred to the Office Chief of Ordinance in Washington, DC late in 1959 until 1961.
Moore came to Smithfield in 1962 and joined Ragsdale Engineers, which he later purchased and changed the name to Ragsdale Consultants, Inc. working there until he retired as President of the Corporation in 1987.
He was a member of the Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce for 37 years and a lifetime member of the Smithfield Rotary Club. He was actively involved with the Food Closet at Centenary United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Directors for Reigns from Above, the Tuscarora Council Boy Scouts of America, Johnston County Board of Economic Development, Council on Aging, Mental Health and the Four Oaks Bank Advisory Board in Smithfield.
A graveside service, with military honors, will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday in Sunset Memorial Park with Rev. Karen Dukes and Meagan Matthews officiating
Surviving are his children, Michele Moore Grady and husband David of Kenly and Thomas Kendall Moore of Smithfield; sisters, Myrtle Lassiter of Four Oaks, Faye Adams and husband J.D. of Garner, Catherine Keene of Surf City, Hilda Brown of Micro and Margie Dunn of Pine Level; brother-in-law, Royie V. Massengill of Four Oaks; two grandchildren, Tyler Forbes Grady and Amber Grady Peedin, a great grandson, Carson Ross Peedin, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Moore was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lea Upchurch Moore on April 19, 2014.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the Parrish Funeral Home in Selma.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Centenary United Methodist Church Emergency Relief Fund, 104 E. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577.
