EVENTS
February 6th, 2015 - Sagamore of the Wabash
Mr. Joe F. Moore Fulton County nomination for
Sagamore of the Wabash.
Homegrown, Mr. Joe F. Moore was bred and born in Fulton County. He's the second oldest of the four Moore brothers growing up west of Rochester in the Burton Community. Joe's been a lifelong Fulton County resident for nearly seven decades with the exception of his collegiate years in New Mexico and a couple of years that he taught school there.
Dedicating his life to serving others, Joe was an admired and respected classroom manager teaching his students mathematics and life's lessons for 42 years. He was revered by students and his peers as the go to man when solving a problem, gaining insight and wisdom.
Joe Moore and wife Terry receiving the Sagamore of the Wabash award The Honorable Tim Harmon (Rep) from Bremen
An elementary education teacher, he enjoyed teaching in Silver City, NM, and in the Caston and Rochester School Corporations. Joe served as head teacher at Riddle Elementary for a number of years. Multiple times during his Rochester tenure Joe was recognized in "Who's Who in Education," an award bestowed following the nomination by former students. Former student Austin Eiler was a touted Indianapolis Star Honor Student and Joe was recognized by Austin as the teacher bearing the most influence on him. Following his retirement honored with two coveted Indiana education awards, the Crystal Apple and a Pinnacle of Education Award, the Torch of Knowledge. Modestly, it was his belief that if he could help one student become a success because of his influence, his career was a success.
A grassroots level type guy, Joe finds great satisfaction in helping others and expresses many random acts of kindness. He is a frequent visitor to those less fortunate folks experiencing poor health, the elderly and shut-ins. Always making time to chat, listening with a compassionate ear and caring heart, Joe allows them the feeling of being valued and special. He has taken some shut-ins to the barber shop for a haircut, to doctors appointments or uptown to the local coffee shop to catch up on the latest.
Each spring he and wife Terry plant a truck patch garden. Joe shares the bountiful harvest with friends neighbors and retired seniors who don’t have an opportunity to have gardens.
An accomplished cook and chef, Joe creates meals by sharing his culinary skills with these folks previously mentioned. From soups simmering on his stovetop to racks of ribs from his grill Joe delivers comfort food nourishing the body, spirits and soul. Consistent with his unconditional love for others--Joe makes soup for Wednesday evening supper during the winter months for a church in the town of Kewanna. His demeanor and presence is appreciated by the many lives he's touched.
An active member of the Rochester Lion's Club for over 20 years, Joe has served his club in a variety of leadership roles, as president, working on club projects, a member of the board of directors and living up to the Lion's motto...."We Serve". Presently he serves as chairman of the eyeglasses project and is on the scholarship committee.
A man our community can count on, Joe quietly reaches out intuitively helping others with emotional support and monetarily during personal emergencies. A Western New Mexico Mustang Alumnus, he established an emergency fund for students needing a financial boost or help them make ends meet. Always there for our youth, Joe has mentored many 4-H members with their sheep projects over the decades.
A loyal and devoted member of the Burton-Richland Center United Methodist Church for more than a half century, Joe has served in many capacities including liturgist, trustee, pastor-parish committee to name a few.
Joe's social friendships encompass with a vast spectrum of circles of influence. There's no doubt that meeting Joe once you've made a friend for life. One who can be counted on in good times and tough times. Our community has been richly blessed and is a better place because of Joe F. Moore.
