ARCHIE EDWIN MORAN

MORAN
ARCHIE EDWIN
Age 89, of Johnson City, Tennessee, journeyed on to his heavenly home on Friday, September 12, 2014. Arch was born July, 24, 1925, to the late Sylvia and Wayne Moran on a farm in Meadowdale, WV. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Ellen Reycroft (Mer) Moran whom he married on June 4, 1948; and by his beloved siblings, Alene Coombs and Calvin Moran. He is survived by his four children, Susan Moran Knoll and her husband, Alex, Marcia Moran and Shirley Stafford, Mark Moran and his wife, Jennifer, and Dennie Stahlsmith; ten grandchildren, Laren Knoll Burkhart and her husband, Paul, Amy Knoll Fraser and her husband, Neal, Marshall Knoll and his wife, Reni, Melissa Moran, Perry Moran and girlfriend, Henley Curry, Eli Moran, Zach Stahlsmith, Megan Stahlsmith, Benjamin Stahlsmith, and Will Stahlsmith; and six great- grandchildren, Jacob Burkhart, Annika Burkhart, Sylvia Burkhart, Evelyn Burkhart, Isaac Burkhart, and Roan Fraser; and sister-in-law, Jean Summerville; and beloved nieces and nephews. Arch's hard work ethic began as a young boy on the farm. He was a tough, hard-working farm boy who hammered his way to an elite level in the coal industry, working two, three and four jobs while earning his way through college. As a farm boy, he easily danced through the chores, rising early in the a.m., before going off to school. After graduating from Morgantown High School at the age of 16, he went to work at Christopher Coal Company in Maidsville, West Virginia, as a slate picker to earn enough money to enter West Virginia University. He graduated from WVU in1949 with a B.S. in Engineering of Mining, after spending two of those years as a 2nd Lt. Navigator in the Army Air Corps. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Emory University. His professional career took him through a lifelong commitment to serving and leading in the coal industry for US Steel Mining. From 1949-1957, he served as chainman, survey crew to assistant district mining engineer, Engineering Department, Frick Coal District, Uniontown, PA. From 1957-1959, he served as mine superintendent of the Karen Mine, Frick Coal District, Uniontown, PA. From 1959-1972, he served as the assistant general superintendent and then general superintendent at the Lynch Coal District, Lynch, KY. From 1972-1981, he served as general superintendent of the Gary Coal District, Gary, WV. From 1981-1984, he served as the Vice President of Operations, Pittsburgh, PA. Arch was an eager lifelong learner and shared his prayers, presence, gifts, and service generously with family and friends and through his volunteer work. He served the WV Coal Association, the AIME, the Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America, the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Silver Beaver Award, the Lighthouse Foundation, Priority Two, The Richland Library, The Chautauqua Golf Course Board of Governors, and The Presbyterian House at Chautauqua. He was a faithful member of both The Virgil Anderson Sunday School class at Munsey United Methodist Church and the Wednesday morning prayer group at First Christian Church in Johnson City. He prayed unceasingly for his family, church family, and friends near and far. He considered it his honor and privilege. Arch Moran was a man of great faith. Even until his last days he said that he was "blessed, blessed, blessed" to have such a wonderful life. He loved Lynch High, West Virginia and Pittsburgh Steelers football. Friends and family are invited to be together at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2014, at Munsey United Methodist Church in Johnson City, TN. A service of celebration of his life will follow at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to: Munsey Memorial Church UMC, 201 East Market Street, Johnson City, TN 37601, Hurlbut Memorial Community UMC, P.O. Box 33 Chautauqua, NY 14722, First Christian Church, 200 East Mountcastle Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601, The Lighthouse Foundation, Box 366, Bakerstown, PA 15007. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family via www.morrisbaker.com. MORRIS-BAKER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 2001 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN is serving the Moran family.
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