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Ray MOORE Obituary


Family-Placed Death Notice

MOORE, Ray Newsman for Five Decades Award- Winning Journalist Chronicled Historic Times In 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated and reaction was pouring in from world leaders, NBC News wanted a reaction from arguably the most important human rights leader of the day - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. WSB- TV News Director and anchor Ray Moore scooped the nation because of his contacts with members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference who led him to Dr. King. Dr. King gave a dramatic interview in which he said he was not afraid of any threats to his own life: "I believe firmly that this cause is right - and that someone must have the courage and fortitude to stand up for it - even if it means suffering and even if it means death." In 1968, another of Moore's sources provided the tip that found the abandoned white Mustang of Dr. King's assassin in Atlanta that led to the arrest in London. Through the years, Moore interviewed local and national celebrities and leaders. Among them were legendary golfer Bobby Jones, poet Robert Frost, Billy Graham, and Robert Kennedy. Moore once tracked a fugitive down from Georgia to Missouri without leaving his desk, using just his phone. Moore chose to raise his family in Atlanta because he treasured them more than fame, even though he was asked to join NBC News several times as a correspondent. He was a genuine family man and a perfect example for his children. He was a man of faith, a Sunday school teacher and a lay preacher in the Methodist church for many years. Ray Moore was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina in 1922 to newspaperman Raymond Moore, Sr. and his wife Helen. The senior Moore later moved the family back to his home, Orville, Ohio, where he was part owner of the town newspaper. It was there that young Ray Moore launched his career in journalism. During World War II, Moore served as a Tech-Sergeant in General Patton's Third Army and wrote the history for the 10th Armored Division, which was published in 1945 and is still available online. Attending Columbia University on the GI Bill, Moore earned a degree in history in three years. He moved to Atlanta to work at WSB Radio in 1951. He moved over to WSB-TV in 1952 as a news reporter and weatherman. His quick wit and humor soon won over his audience. Moore later became News Director and news anchor for WSB-TV. Starting in the 1970s, Moore also worked at WAGA-TV in Atlanta. He later left TV to help developers Scott Hudgens and Herman Russell create a planned community called Shenandoah near Newnan. In 1979, he became Director of Research Communications at Georgia Tech. While at Tech he was part of the Atlanta Organizing Committee (AOC) for the 1996 Olympics. He helped write, produce and narrate a video that helped Billy Payne's successful effort to host the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. In 1983, Moore returned to WSB-TV as noon news co-anchor while he continued to work at Georgia Tech. He formally retired from WSB-TV in 1992. Moore passed away peacefully on July 23, 2013. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Barbara, and a grandson Aaron. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sara; three sons and their wives: Russ (Mary Caroline) of Newnan, Steve (Carolyn) of Augusta and Bruce (Kim) of Memphis, Tennessee; step-children Lee Sears of Raleigh, North Carolina and Nat Sears of Alpharetta; and ten grandchildren: Joseph, Emily, Claire Marie, Ann, Andy, Cari, Nina, Caley, Connor, and Leah; and his sister, Helen Gerig, and her husband, Carl, of Ft. Myers, Florida. A memorial service will be held at Oak Grove United Methodist Church at 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur, GA 30033 on Saturday, July 27 at 3:00 prn, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oak Grove UMC or to The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command, 1190 W. Druid Hills Drive, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30329. A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jul. 26, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray MOORE

Not sure what to say?





Davan Mani

April 6, 2017

Thanks for bringing Tom Brokaw to light.

Amyn Teja

August 8, 2013

Sarah: We were so sorry to hear about your loss. Ray was a special person and always made us feel special when we interacted with him at Georgia Tech events. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carole and Amyn Teja

July 31, 2013

I'm sorry for your lost and may God be with you and your family.

Jeff

July 30, 2013

He was an Atlanta icon and always will be.

July 29, 2013

Mr. Moore was a great human being. He was always pleasnt to be around. God now has someone who can interview everybody. Thank God for loaning Ray to us.

Taffie Maynard
Decatur, Ga

SG

July 28, 2013

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

July 28, 2013

May the peace promised in God's Word(John 14:27) sustain all of you and help you endure.
Renee - Atlanta, GA

July 28, 2013

I had to smile when I read my colleague, Don McClellan, write about Ray's accuracy. As the young woman who had the privilege to anchor the noon news with Ray in the early 80's, I would benefit from that accuracy daily. Ray was such a gentleman, he would always wait until commercial breaks to gently tell me all the mistakes I had just made, in pronunciation or grammar. At first I would challenge him, but after looking up my mistakes time and time again and finding Ray ALWAYS right, I just learned to be grateful for my instant education. Another colleague wrote, "when you looked up southern gentleman in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Ray Moore." How true. Lynn Harasin

Margo Dixon

July 28, 2013

Sarah and sons, the voice of Ray Moore still resonates in my heart's ear, long after he went off the air! He was an Atlanta fixture, right up there with Martin Luther King, Jr, Robert Shaw....
Please accept my deepest sympathy and sorrow for your loss. A great, humble, honest, generous and mellifluous man has found the peace that passeth all understanding.

July 27, 2013

One of the great associations for my wife, Jeneve, and myself. We were delighted to be in Ray and Sarah's home, and always delighted in conversation with the remarkable Ray Moore. What a magnificent ambassador and what a stellar man of God. Harold and Jeneve Brooks

Robin Allen

July 27, 2013

Steve and Carolyn, Rick and I are so sorry for your loss. Being from Carrollton originally, I have fond tv memories of your dad from an early age .... What a great man he was! He will be greatly missed by many. God bless you, Robin Reeve Allen

Betty McGinty

July 26, 2013

Phil and I both grew up in Atlanta, and both our families enjoyed his TV presence in our homes. In addition, we have had the privilege of being in the same church family with Ray at Oak Grove UMC over the past 12 years. What wonderful narration he offered for our Christmas and Easter musical celebrations! We will miss this kind gentleman but know he is now with our Lord.

Tressy Treadwell

July 25, 2013

Russ Moore and Family I am sorry to hear of your Father's passing. I grew up watching him on "the news" and as a teenager from a small town thought it was grand to meet him and to have you as a youth director at my church. Prayers,
Tressy Adams Treadwell (Tallapoosa First Methodist)

Leigh Elliott

July 25, 2013

Ray was such a great Man.Loved his news.

Nancy Mullins

July 25, 2013

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Carolyn Stallings

July 25, 2013

I will always remember Mr. Ray Moore. He was a very kind and friendly man. I first knew him (as a child) from TV, and later from Georgia Tech. I had the honor working with him temporily and then helping he and Sarah while working at OIT department at GT. He is a fine man and will be missed by friends and especially his family. As good as he was, I am sure he is in heaven.
God bless you Sarah and Russ.
'Carolyn Bruce' Stallings
OIT Dept. GT (Retired)

Larrie Del and Joe Martin

July 25, 2013

Sara and family, I grieve for each of you and all of us, but know Ray is with God right now, wherever that might be. I don't know what Heaven is like, but I'm sure Ray is there. He was as close to God as anyone I've ever known, and this relationship showed in all of his life and in his love for you. Larrie Del and I had the wonderful privilege of learning from him while we were together at Trinity many years ago. What a glorious time that was. He shared his kindness and wisdom with everyone, and the times when a few of us would meet for lunch and prayer are some of the highlights of my life. Thank you for supporting him and sharing him with us. He enriched the world in so many extraordinary ways, but the one that means the most to us was just talking with him and feeling his incredible warmth and the depth of his character. That place we call Heaven but know nothing about just got a little better, because one of the true saints of our time has arrived. I won't be able to attend the service, because I'm working in Macedonia as a member of the Peace Corps, but will be with you in spirit. Love, Joe

Jackie Fleeman

July 25, 2013

The Fleeman family of Fleeman's Pharmacy extends our sympathies and prayers. My Dad always thought of Ray as a friend.

Jerry Psenka

July 25, 2013

Ray Moore was a newsman's newsman. His wise counsel, personal integrity and consummate professionalism were evident in everything he did. They don't make journalists like Ray any more. And it's too bad. Lord knows, our complex world needs them as never before. May Ray's family and loved ones find God's comfort as we who were privileged to know him note with sorrow the passing of this good and decent man.

July 25, 2013

I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who is 'binding up the broken hearted and comforting those mourning' sustain you during this most difficult time. (Isa.61:1,2). Again, my deepest sympathies.

July 25, 2013

God bless the extended family of Mr. Ray Moore.

W. & J. Parrish

reed

July 25, 2013

my deepest condolences
to the moor family.

G. Freeman

July 25, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Steve Williams

July 25, 2013

Thank you, sir, for helping make the Atlanta area a great place to be from, God rest your soul, and may the Holy Spirit comfort your family.

July 25, 2013

My deepest condolences for your loss.May the God of comfort be with you at this most difficult time. Isaiah 61:2

July 25, 2013

With deepest sympathy to the family.

George Lee

July 24, 2013

Ray was the consumate gentleman and professional. I so much enjoyed an association with him at EES and GTRI (as part of work with Industrial Extension).

July 24, 2013

Ray Moore... The absolute best!

Martha Ann Stegar

July 24, 2013

I'm so sad that Ray has gone from us. He was not only a wonderful boss for me, but a kind and caring true gentleman. AND a legendary newsman that Atlanta will never forget!

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