The Life Of Charles M. Moore Jr., Was Exemplary.

Moore was a caring, giving civic leader
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The life of Charles M. Moore Jr. was exemplary.

Moore, a man of impeccable character, always tried to help his community whenever he could and was also a man devoted to a large extended family. He was someone many looked up to for his service and business success.

Sadly, Moore, 74, passed away Saturday at his home after a lengthy illness.

Moore leaves behind a tremendous legacy that will be remembered for years.

Henry Pepper, his brother-in-law, summed it up best when he said that he had four loves in his life - his family, his church, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Kentucky, although not necessarily in that order.

Moore, chairman of Charles M. Moore Insurance, was a devoted family man. Everyone knew how much he loved and cared for his family. He took great pride in seeing his daughter, Holly Sowell, and his three nephews, Tommy, Charles and Felton Adams, working with him on a daily basis.

Moore had a passion for his business and served it well. We know it will remain in good hands under the leadership of the family members he trained.

Tommy Adams remembers wanting to go to law school after graduating from the University of Kentucky and talking to Moore about his future.

Moore said selling insurance will allow you to be somewhat like a lawyer and he persuaded Adams to join the insurance firm.

“He told me I belonged at the insurance office. I’ve never regretted that opportunity,” Adams said.

“He told me if you’re going into a business, you need to know the business,” Adams said. “He was very encouraging in business, community and our industry.”

Adams said his uncle was truly an example of a hard worker.

“He made it a habit to be at work before everyone else and leave after everyone else had left,” Adams said. “His optimism was contagious. There’s a different spirit in the office not having him here.”

Adams said he truly cared about the community, whether it be a chamber event, hospitality house or some other event in town, he was there.

Adams told one last story about his uncle, although he said there are many, many more that are very telling.

“People would ask, when’s your uncle going to retire? Never, I hope. He was our director of public relations. He was always out promoting our business,” Adams said with a chuckle.

Moore also took great pride in his 52-year marriage to Shelby Greer Moore. They were married while attending UK. Three daughters, eight grandchildren and his nine nieces and nephews survive him.

People enjoyed talking to Moore. He was a true friend to everyone, and everyone was his friend.

On any given Wednesday morning prayer and Sunday service at Christ Episcopal Church, Moore was always there.

He truly cared about his church. He served as its treasurer for more than 50 years. He taught Sunday school and was a chalice bearer and lector.

It was a great testament to his character and his life that there were an estimated 400 to 500 people at his funeral service Wednesday. The sanctuary was full and the adjacent annex was nearly filled with those who came to celebrate his life.

Moore was a UK graduate, and you probably couldn’t find a bigger UK fan and alumni supporter in the state.

While at UK, Moore was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and he truly fell in love with the school, both as a student and a graduate.

Over the years, he attended countless UK basketball and football games.

Moore was well-respected by the UK Alumni Association. He received the UK Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2004 and served as the national president for that association in 2002-03. He continued to serve on the board of directors until his death.

When it came to giving back to the community, Moore will go down as one of the best. He was always volunteering and served in innumerable agencies.

Besides being chairman of Charles M. Moore Insurance, he had been a president of the local and state associations of The Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky and served as its national director. Moore was also very involved in the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce for many years. He served as chamber board of directors chairman in 1972 and was a charter member of the chamber’s Ambassador’s Club. He was named Ambassador of the Year in 1991, 1996, 2004, 2009 and 2010. Moore was also co-chairman of the chamber’s First Impressions Last Capital Campaign, which funded the building of the chamber’s new building on College Street.
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Moore recently received the Herb Smith Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes those who have significantly impacted southcentral Kentucky and its economic advancement.

The list of accolades of this great man could go on and on, but suffice it to say that Moore was simply a tireless worker for the betterment of this community.

We have a lost a great civic leader and his passing will leave a huge void.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.

Editor's comment: Read the story about his death. I concur that Mr. Charlie Moore, Jr., was a very good man.