Kenneth Allen Moser

1942 - 2021

Kenneth Allen Moser
September 8, 1942 - January 13, 2021
Winston-Salem, North Carolina - Kenneth Allen Moser ("Ken") excelled at being a husband, father, grandfather, attorney, athlete, mentor, and friend. To the nine grandchildren who adored him, he was "Papa": their treat giver, joke teller, coach, cheerleader, confidant, and role model. After waiting six months for a lung transplant, Ken lost his battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He fought the disease with the unflagging determination, tireless dedication, and unmatched work ethic that were characteristic of how he lived his life. Ken died on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Duke University Hospital, with his wife, Mary Nan, and children by his side. He was 78.
Ken was married to Mary Nan for 54 years. He was a member of St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, where he attended mass every Sunday. In addition to Mary Nan, Ken is survived by his three children and their families: Kelly Frances Moser (Jennifer Teel), who holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and is a Senior Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center in Chapel Hill; Ashley Moser Veneziano (Dr. Joseph), who holds a Master of Arts in counseling and clinical psychology and a Master of Education from the Teacher's College of Columbia University and is a teacher at Summit School in Winston-Salem; and John Kenneth Moser (Aly), who holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and is a Partner with the law firm of Comerford Chilson & Moser, LLP, in Winston-Salem. Ken is also survived by his sister Joyce Anne Moser of Winston-Salem, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Glynn Moser and Angie Elizabeth Allen Moser, and his brother Harold Dean Moser of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Ken's most cherished legacy is his nine grandchildren, who will forever remember their "Papa," his smile, generosity, hugs, and the "twinkle in his eye": Noah Joseph Veneziano (16); Annabella Frances Veneziano (15); Elizabeth Poppy Veneziano ("Poppy") (14); James Tristan Moser-Teel ("Tristan") (13); John Kenneth Moser, Jr. ("Jack") (12); Olivia Jane Moser-Teel (11); Finley James Veneziano ("Finn") (11); Mary Olivia Moser (10); and Walter Perkins Moser ("Walt") (6). Ken also leaves behind his four-legged best friend, Scout ("Sir Scoutie Wags-A lot"). We will miss our "Papa" immensely.
A North Carolina native, Ken was born on September 8, 1942 in Rowan County, the youngest of three children. Voted "Best All Around" in high school, Ken's athletic talent in football, basketball, and baseball earned him an induction into the Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Sports Hall of Fame. Ken and his siblings were the first in their family to attend college. After working construction for a year to earn the funds to cover his education, Ken received his bachelor's degree in political science from Wake Forest University in 1965 and his Juris Doctor (cum laude - second in his class) from Wake Forest School of Law in 1968.
Ken worked his way through college and law school, yet earned honors too many to list. As an undergraduate, he was President of his Senior Class, President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Leadership Fraternity, and a member of the freshman cross country and basketball teams, as well as being selected by his classmates as one of sixteen outstanding seniors. At Wake Forest University School of Law, Ken was Associate Editor of the Wake Forest Law Review and President of Phi Delta Phi.
Ken practiced law for 43 years with Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice (now, Womble Bond Dickinson), where he was a partner before retiring in 2012. In addition to his active law practice in banking, real estate, and commercial finance, Ken served his firm in many ways: as manager of the Winston-Salem office, as a member of the Firm Management and Executive Committees, as a leader of the firm's Capital Markets Practice Group, and in many other roles. He was presented with the William Pen Sandridge Award for lifetime service to the firm.
In addition to his leadership, his law partners and colleagues remember him for his dedication to his clients, work ethic, and integrity. In the banking world, he was the go-to lawyer for many financial institutions because of his professionalism and knack for practical solutions. In addition to the countless young attorneys he mentored throughout his career, Ken served as a role model to his three children, two of whom followed him into careers in law.
Prior to retirement, Ken was a member of the Winston-Salem Board of Advisors for Wells Fargo Bank and general counsel to Piedmont Federal Savings Bank. At the time of his death, he was serving as a member of Piedmont Federal's Board of Directors.
Ken was a member of the American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law, serving as Chair of its Loan Practices and Lender Liability Committee. He was a faculty member of the Graduate School of Banking of the South, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He co-authored two legal form books: North Carolina Real Estate Forms - Practice and North Carolina Commercial Finance Forms - Practice, published in 1992 by Lawyers Cooperative Publishing, Rochester, New York. He was honored by his peers and clients by being inducted into the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, and the North Carolina Bar Association Legal Practice Hall of Fame.
Along with his full legal career, Ken served his community, college, and law school in numerous fundraising and leadership positions. He served as a founding member of the Winston-Salem Downtown Development Corporation and Foundation Board of Directors for over 10 years. Ken served as a member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Forsyth and Davie Counties from 2004 to 2011 and was Board chair from 2009 to 2010. He was an Advisory Council member for the Winston-Salem Salvation Army Boys Club; an Officer of the North Carolina Housing Foundation; a member of the Winston Salem/Forsyth County United Way Campaign Cabinet; a member of the Winston-Salem Arts Council Budget Committee; and the Chair of the Professional Division of the Winston-Salem Arts Council Annual Fundraising Campaign. He was also a graduate of Leadership Winston-Salem and a long-time member of Stratford Rotary. In 2009, he received the United States President Volunteer Service Award "for making a difference through volunteer service."
Forever a Demon Deacon, Ken was a member and President of the Wake Forest University Law Alumni Council; a member of the Board of Visitors of Wake Forest University School of Law; the Alumni Chair of the Wake Forest University School of Law National Law Fund Campaign; a member of the Wake Forest Alumni Council; and the Chair of the Golden Deacs Club (formerly known as the Half-Century Club). Ken and Mary Nan, who met at Wake Forest, are members of the Samuel Wait Legacy Society, the Hawthorne Hill Society of Wake Forest Medical Center, the Deacon Club, and Loyal Deacs. As a lifelong tennis player, he was instrumental in the creation of the Jim Leighton Tennis Center and was particularly supportive of the Wake Forest women's tennis team. Ken's three children graduated from Wake Forest University, and he was for decades a season ticket holder for WFU football and basketball. It is fair to say that his blood ran Black and Gold.
A private mass and burial will be held for the immediate family. Once it is safe for groups to gather, Ken's family plans to host a celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Cancer Center, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27517-1021; the Mary Nan and Ken Moser Wake Forest University School of Law Scholarship, Law School Development, Wake Forest University, P.O. 7227, Winston-Salem, NC 27109; St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 335 Springdale Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27104-3199, or the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.