Dr Thomas Edwin Moak Sr

Dr. Thomas Edwin Moak Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 17th, 2023. He was born December 6th, 1950 in Laurel, MS to his parents and heroes Lucy Gerald Moak and Dr. William Edwin Moak. As a young man in Richton, MS, ‘Tom Ed’ explored the county on his horse ‘Poncho’ and played every sport available. His mother taught him a love of learning and manners, and his father how to lead with endless energy, empathy, and love of medicine. Recognizing his academic potential, Dr. Moak’s parents chose McCallie School for his junior and senior year where he graduated Cum Laude in 1968. He earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University in 1972. Dr. Moak always knew he would follow his father into medicine and he did so with the highest honors including an induction to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society in 1975 and his MD from Emory University in 1976. After spending his early career working in the Piedmont Hospital emergency room, Dr. Moak purchased his own Internal Medicine practice at Piedmont in 1983 where he practiced medicine for 22 years. He was a brilliant physician and took great pride in providing exceptional care for his patients. After full days in his practice, he worked through the night as an early innovator in the use of healthcare practice management software and the founder of a business which supports his family to this day.

In 1980, Dr. Moak met Mary Elizabeth Neely, a chance encounter that turned into a “love that will last ‘til the end of time”. Their courtship was full of ski trips out west, excuses to water ski, and shag-dancing to the Beach Music classics. The two were wed in 1984 and lived their vows with exemplary love and support. In 1989, Tom and Mary welcomed their first child Ed and they purchased their forever home. 17 months later to the day Tom Jr. joined the family. Dr. Moak and Mary’s passion for the water led to countless family trips on their boat ‘Beach Music’ exploring the far-flung corners of the coastal southeast, including family trips deep into the Bahamas – captains discouraged and navigational charts optional at best. As a Georgia Bulldog season ticket holder for 40 years, few games were missed. Dr. Moak taught his sons how to explore, compete, serve others and love their mother. He always showed up, and he never let a day go by without asking “have I told you I love you yet today?”

After a 2005 brain tumor diagnosis, he defied medical odds for 18 years to support his sons through high school, college and beyond. While still able, Dr. Moak loved to trot around Peachtree Battle Park, hit thousands of tennis balls on the machine at Ansley Golf Club, cheer for the Westminster Wildcats, go fishing in Panama City, and travel the country watching the Princeton Tigers play mediocre but scrappy football. As his physical pace slowed, Dr. Moak became a voracious and consistently volatile day-trader, an avid re-watcher of classic Georgia Football games, and he fell in love with his daughter in law Mary Rose and recent granddaughter Mary Edwin.

Dr. Moak was supported and cared for in his home by the most loyal and wonderful people including James and Leola Perry, Jessica Benton, his late neighbor John Wright, Northside UMC Stephens Minister Charles Cobb, and the team from At Comfort Private Care led by Hendrix Mumba, Christopher Chanda, and Winnel Kaela. We are forever grateful for all caretakers, family and friends who lent a hand or shared a kind word of support in the last 18 years.

Dr. Moak is survived by his wife Mary Neely Moak, son William Edwin Moak II, son Thomas Edwin Moak, Jr and his wife Mary Rose Perez Moak and granddaughter Mary Edwin Perez Moak. Other survivors include his sister Susan Moak Sheldon, brother-in-law Jerry Sheldon, nephew Jason Edwin Sheldon and his wife Rhea Sheldon, niece Cassie Sheldon Strawn, great nieces and nephews Ashlyn and Hudson Sheldon and Jack and Sam Strawn and cousins Elizabeth Seabrook, Thomas Godwin and Pat Dunleavy.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2pm on Friday March 24th at Northside United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow immediately thereafter. In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Pastoral Care Ministry at Northside United Methodist Church 2799 Northside Dr. NW Atlanta, GA 30305.