Thomas "T.K." Kerr Moore Jr.

Thomas Kerr “T.K.” Moore, Jr., 84, passed away Friday, October 12, 2018, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C., after a brief illness. He died peacefully with his loving family by his side.

T.K. was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Kerr Moore, Sr. and Mary Virtue McGee Moore, and by his only son, Thomas Jeffrey “Jeff” Moore. He is survived by his precious wife of 61 years, Kathie; his daughter Mary Kaye Hester of Wilmington and her husband Deryl; daughter-in-law Amy Philipp of Charlotte and her husband Keith; and grandchildren AB Moore of Portland, Oregon; Ford Philipp of Charlotte; and Andy Nesbit of Appomattox, Virginia.

Born in Charlotte, N.C., on June 12, 1934, T.K., then known as “Tommy”, met Kathie at Myers Park High School, where he was a member of the first graduating class in 1952. He studied textile engineering at N.C. State University, taking a break to serve in the U.S. Army, and joined Sigma Chi fraternity. He was a diehard Wolfpack fan for the rest of his life.

Throughout his professional career in textile machinery sales, T.K. worked for Celanese, among other Charlotte-based companies. A lifelong boater, he was an active member of the Charlotte Power Squadron and served in many roles, including Commander, and as Secretary for District 27. He was the driving force behind the organization’s purchase of land on Lake Wylie dubbed “Merit Mark Point”, and the annual barbecue fundraiser he started there is named in his honor.

After T.K. and Kathie retired to Sunset Beach, N.C., they joined Shallotte River Sail and Power Squadron where T.K. continued to teach safe boating classes and conduct vessel inspections. Earlier this year, T.K. was awarded Governing Board Emeritus Membership Status by the United States Power Squadron, a rare honor recognizing his more than 50 consecutive years of service.

An avid golfer, T.K. worked as a course ranger at Ocean Ridge Plantation, and also served on the Board of Directors for The Museum of the Coastal Carolinas and The Ingram Planetarium. He and Kathie were both active members of St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church.

T.K. was a strong-spirited man, a faithful Christian, and a good friend with an unending sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by his family, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him during his long and productive life.

A celebration of T.K.’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 19, at St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Shallotte, N.C., with Father Dick Warner presiding. The family will receive after the service. Memorial donations may be made to your local Red Cross hurricane relief fund, www.redcross.org.