Thomas Hugh Moore

Thomas Hugh Moore, 79, retired chief executive officer of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, formerly of Springfield, Illinois, died at home on April 30, 2008. After serving 32 1/2 years as CEO of the AIEC, Mr. Moore retired to Conway, Ark. in 1995. Conway was where Mr. Moore attended college and married Clara Jeannette Jackson on Nov. 18, 1950 during his senior year at Arkansas State Teachers College (University of Central Arkansas). Following his wife's death in 1997 and his own diminishing health, he moved to Normal, Il. in the summer of 2007 where he lived with his eldest daughter until his death. He was born at home in Oppelo, Ark. on Jan. 13, 1929 where he lived on the family farm and assisted with the animals and food crop and grew his life-long love of flowers and gardening by helping his parents operate Moore's Nursery and Greenhouse. While growing up and tending to his chores on the farm, he was active in the 4-H Club and attended school across the river in Morrilton, Ark. His decision to major in journalism at Hendrix College was developed during his work at the Log Cabin Democrat where he worked as a typesetter to put himself through college. He graduated with a B.A. in journalism with minors in history and English honors. His appreciation of education and writing was a natural gift from his mother who traveled on horseback to teach in rural schools. Writing became the backbone of his life's work and his letters to family and friends over the years were treasured gifts. No doubt, many who knew him have tucked away these words of wisdom as keepsakes from a man whose words were always delivered in fairness and of a kind spirit. He served as director of member and public relations for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, in Little Rock from 1957-1961 when he relocated to Illinois to become general manager of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives in Springfield. As CEO, he used his journalism skills and much of his time to communicate with directors and local cooperative leaders through a weekly newsletter and to build AIEC membership by growing an in-house communications department. He not only took his message to the people around the state by holding tent meetings, but often traveled monthly to Washington, D.C. to lobby members of Congress. His commitment to the membership and the REA cause is exemplified by his missing only two of 384 board meetings during his career. Upon retirement in 1995, he received the Clyde T. Ellis Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon professionals in the rural electrification program. Mr. Moore was the first from Illinois to receive the honor. The Ellis Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and service to electric cooperatives and efforts at increasing the public interest and appreciation of electric cooperatives. Nominees must have spent substantial time as chief administrator or member of a leadership body and must also have achieved national renown. Mr. Moore enjoyed spending his retirement years renewing friendships with old classmates and with relatives, overseeing his farmland and attending his boyhood church, which was built in 1887 on property acquired from his grandfather, Thomas H. Moore. In addition, he spent long hours enjoying his hobby of stamp collecting which grew while he traveled the world and served his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. His retirement home with its Japanese garden and Koi fish pond and the back-road tours of the land where he was born also provided many years of joy to his children and grandchildren who visited him regularly. Through him, they observed what he had planted over a lifetime and the difference that tending to one's garden in life can make in the lives of others. Tom Moore was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather whose dedication to the happiness and well being of his family never wavered. His strong sense of family values and his work ethic were magnified by the disciplines and strong sense of loyalty to all mankind that he acquired over a lifetime of hard work. It was no surprise to anyone that he said his most gratifying work was in helping people, as he gave freely the gift of his time and attention and never turned anyone away. He strived to help people come to agreement because, he said, "people don't always see the solution in the same way." Mr. Moore is preceded in death by his loving and most adored wife of almost 47 years, Clara Jeannette Jackson (April 23, 1997); his father, James Thomas Moore (1974); mother Annie Nellie Van Marion (January 14, 1997); a brother, James Cornelius Moore (May 1943); and sister, Lena Muriel Moore Holland (July 8, 2005). Survivors include two daughters, Melanie Anne Johnson of Normal, IL. and Stephanie Suzanne Moore Chipman (James William Chipman) of Springfield, IL; one son, James Van Moore (Erin Marie Antonacci Moore) of Springfield, IL; and eight grandchildren: Jessica Thomas Bennassi, Erron Gordon Gilmer, Chelsey Diane Johnson, Alexander Moore Chipman, Spencer Moore Chipman, Savannah Claire Moore, Darby Kimberlin Moore and Chelseanna Nichole Gilmer-Johnson. Tax-Deductible Contributions may be given in memory of Tom Moore to the IEC Memorial Scholarship fund made to: ICCSF/IEC Memorial Scholarship Fund" AND mailed to P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. (The "driving force" behind creation of the fund was Thomas H. Moore. It was established by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives in Jan. 1994 and is designed to provide financial assistance to deserving students in the "electric cooperative family." Mr. Moore believed that a fund should be established to provide a means by which cooperatives and individuals could honor deceased members of the electric cooperative family through memorial gifts. The Illinois Community College System Foundation (ICCSF) administers the fund). Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2008 at Harris Funeral Home, 118 S. Moose St., Morrilton, AR 72110. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at Harris Funeral Home. The family of Thomas Moore is being served locally by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703.