Dr. John Hebron Moore

Dr. John Hebron Moore

Dr. John Hebron Moore, 92, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away, Thursday, Oct 24, 2012 at his home.

Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M, Thursday Nov 15 at the Moore's home to celebrate John's life. He will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America.

John was born February 26, 1920 in Greenville, MS to John and Cora (Hebron) Moore, and raised by his grandfather, MS State Senator John Lawrence Hebron on a cotton plantation in Leland MS, and his aunt Corrine (Hebron) Morris in Jackson MS, after his mother passed away at an early age.

John was a graduate of Columbia Military Academy, Mississippi State (BS Aeronautical Engineering), Ole Miss (MA History), and Emory University (PHD History).

A WWII Veteran, on his 21st birthday John was commissioned into the US Army, serving first as an infantry officer in the South Pacific (on Efate), and then as a C-47 pilot in the 62nd Transport Squadron, US Army Aircorp in Europe.

Following the war John completed his studies in aeronautical engineering at Mississippi State, and then worked as an aeronautical engineer for North American Aviation and Curtis Wright, before returning to graduate study on the GI Bill.

John taught History at Emory, Georgia State, Delta State, Ole Miss, and Florida State. He was the chairman of the History Department at both Ole Miss and Florida State. John authored numerous books and articles, received many awards and honors, and served as President of the Agricultural History Society. The third printing of his doctoral dissertation "Agriculture in Ante-Bellum Mississippi", coincided with his 90th birthday. A Professor Emeritus at Florida State, John retired from teaching in 1992.

His devoted wife Margaret Deschamps Moore preceded John in death in 2003. John met Margaret while both were doctoral students studying history at Emory. They later both taught history at Ole Miss, had a long and happy marriage, many great friends, and loved writing together and traveling the world

A crack shot, John shot on the rifle teams at both Columbia Military Academy and Mississippi State. John was a long time member of the Tallahassee Rifle and Pistol Club, where John and his son spent many happy days together at the range.

Much beloved for his wit and his kindness, John is survived by his son John Hebron Moore Jr. and daughter in law Han Gao of Tallahassee Fl, brother-in-law Ralph Deschamps of Bishopville, SC, first cousins Hebron Morris and Dean Alexander of Jackson MS, and the many students and friends whose lives he touched.