Joe Hiram Moore

Joe Hiram Moore, 86, passed away on August 6, 2003, at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Formerly a resident of Midland and Lakeway, Joe had been an Austin resident for 31 years on the date of his death. Joe was born February 21, 1917, in Alvin, Texas, to George Hiram Moore and Clara Pate Moore. The middle of seven children, Joe was loving called ``Jiggs'' growing up, and he spent the first part of his life working on the family dairy farm in Alvin with his siblings. He graduated from high school in 1934 and entered Texas A&M University the following fall. At A&M Joe found his life-long passion for the field of geology. He received a BS in Petroleum Engineering in 1938 and a MA in the same field at The University of Oklahoma. Shortly after graduating from OU, Joe was employed by Shell Oil Company as a geologist. He left there to work for an independent company and eventually started his own company in 1950. As a geologist, Joe was involved in the discovery of many West Texas and New Mexico oil fields, and he was also active in the exploration of the North Dakota Rocky Mountains. He was a long-standing member of the Houston Geological Society and the AAPG. In addition to being remembered as an influential geologist, Joe is remembered as a philanthropist. He was continually engaged in projects that have permanently benefited many communities. To his beloved A&M, he and his wife Betty selflessly contributed their financial, intellectual, and time resources in support of higher education. Besides an endowment of scholarships to A&M, Joe and Betty actively served as friends and advisors to numerous A&M support groups including the A&M Press, the A&M Foundation, and the Association of Former Students, of which he was president in 1974. He and Betty organized and published the Joe and Betty Moore Texas Art Series with the Texas A&M University Press. They also purchased and refurbished the old Herschfield Manson and Cottage and the office of the chandler in downtown Austin, and then donated it to A&M for the use of the university. He was a member of the Capital City A&M Club and the Heritage Society of Austin. For his generosity and commitment to his community and the university, Joe was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1978. Joe is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Moore, to whom he was whole-heartedly devoted. Joe and Betty met in Alvin in the summer of 1939 and were married on December 23 of the same year. Even after 64 years together, Joe's eyes lit up when he talked about Betty. He also is survived by their son and daughter-in-law, Richard and LaDona Moore (Midland), their son Mike (Midland), his sister Hazel Moore Conerly (Houston), and two grandsons, Kevin (Dallas) and Ryan (Midland) Moore. In addition, Joe leaves behind many nieces and nephews as well as friends that he called family. In his quiet and gracious way, Joe never needed adulation for all that he so generously gave. He brightened the life of everyone who was lucky enough to cross his path with his clever humor, his infinitely positive outlook, and his respect for people from all walks of life. Regarding being blessed with a loving marriage and three wonderful sons Joe said, ``There's not much more you can ask for. You can just be thankful for your privileged life.'' A celebration of life for Joe will be held at a future date.