Arch A. Moore Jr. obit

Former WV Gov. Arch Moore dies at age 91

 He was not on the list.

West Virginia's longest-serving governor, Arch A. Moore Jr. died Jan. 7 in Charleston at age 91 just one day after his daughter, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., was sworn into office.

The man with a reputation throughout the Mountain State for always recalling names, occupations and family details with incredible accuracy died after battling heart trouble and dementia.

Moore, a Marshall County native, launched his life in politics at age 28 by winning his uncle's former seat in the House of Delegates. He was married to the late Shelley Riley Moore for 65 years. She died in September 2014 at age 88. The Moores were parents to Shelley Moore Capito, Lucy Moore Durbin and Arch III.Shelley Moore Capito's office issued a statement just before 8:30 p.m., saying all three children were "deeply saddened to share the news of their father's passing this evening in Charleston ... with his family by his side."

“To call our father a source of inspiration would be an understatement. He was -- and will continue to be -- the force that drives us and our families each and every day. Dad loved the state of West Virginia as if it were a member of our family. Serving West Virginians was at the core of his very being and he cherished every moment of it. We will miss his warm embraces, beautiful smile, sky blue eyes and words of encouragement. We are deeply saddened to say goodbye to our loving father, but we take solace in the knowledge that he is at home with the Lord, and reunited with our beloved mother in Heaven.”

Moore attended Lafayette College and West Virginia University, where he met his wife during a blind double date. Moore worked at his family's law firm in Moundsville and was an Army combat sergeant in WWII. He earned a bronze star and a Purple Heart.

He was defeated in 1954 when he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, but was elected to Congress in 1956 and stayed there until he was sent to the governor's mansion. He was elected governor in 1968, 1972 and 1984.

Moore benefited from the 1968 Modern Budget Amendment, which gave him more budgetary powers than any previous governor. During his tenure, the Department of Highways was established and the modern interstate system was constructed. The Board of Regents also was created to manage state colleges and universities while Moore was Governor, and public kindergarten was developed. During Moore's first term, “black lung” was officially designated as a disease, and Moore became involved in labor disputes, firing road maintenance workers and transit workers who were on strike. He also helped negotiate an end to a national coal strike and a riot with hostages at the former West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. Moore was governor in 1972 when the Buffalo Creek dam broke, killing 125 people and destroying the homes of 4,000 more. New state medical schools were established in Lewisburg and at Marshall University during his second term as governor, along with the Culture Center at the State Capitol Complex.

Moore and his campaign manager were indicted for extortion in 1975, making Moore the first seated governor to officially be charged with a crime. Both men were found not guilty. Moore left office and established private law practices in Charleston, Moundsville and Washington, D.C. He ran for U.S. Senate in 1978 and was defeated. He was defeated in his 1980 run for governor, but was successful in his 1984 run.

During his third term, Moore expanded corporate tax credits to attract business. He was defeated in 1988 by Democrat Gov. Gaston Caperton, and in 1990 Moore was convicted of mail fraud. He served two years in federal prison, paid a fine and his license to practice law was suspended, something he fought vehemently for several years to have reinstated.

According to “Arch: The Life of Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.,” the book by Brad Crouser, Moore never used a signature stamp or a machine throughout his entire career.

“He knew his people,” the late Oce Smith, who spent several years working in the House of Delegates and on Democratic campaigns said in the book. “He remembered them in times of tragedy and happiness. … Today these responsibilities are pretty much normal throughout the political world but, those days, it was something new. He wrote the primer on full-time campaigning.”

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued a statement saying Moore worked with both Democrats and Republicans to accomplish many things that helped move the state forward."I enjoyed working with him during my legislative career and appreciated his ability to negotiate and find common ground. Joanne and I extend our sympathies to Senator Shelley Moore Capito and the entire Moore family," Tomblin said.

Sen. Bill Cole, R-Mercer, also issued a statement saying his thoughts and prayers were with Moore's family.

"Gov. Moore was a dedicated public servant and decorated World War II veteran" Cole said. "His love of his family, his country, and West Virginia will always be remembered."

West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Conrad Lucas said Moore was the pioneer and courageous hero West Virginia needed to advance the state during some of the worst times in the state's history.

“His entire life was dedicated to our state and nation. With his daughter Senator Shelley Moore Capito's swearing-in to the United States Senate, Governor Moore lived to see his legacy reach the highest ranks of our republic,” Lucas said in a statement. “The man simply known as 'Arch' to all West Virginians was so much more than any other elected official has ever been to our state. He was a statesman, soldier, patriot, leader and a legend. No one who met Governor Moore will ever forget the impact he had on them individually or our state as a whole. Governor Moore often faced incredible political odds and showed what was possible. Governor Moore was a master legislator and executive and will always be remembered as someone with perhaps the greatest political skills in West Virginia history.

"Earlier this year we lost Governor Moore's beloved wife Shelley Riley Moore. Once again, we stand with the first family of the West Virginia Republican Party in mourning their loss. Today, a state, nation and Party gather in grief. Our hearts go out to Senator Capito and the entire Moore family. We love them all and will forever miss Governor Arch Moore."

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., issued the following statement on the former governor's passing:

“Gayle and I are truly saddened to learn of the passing of Governor Arch A. Moore. We send our deepest condolences to our friends Shelley, Lucy, and Arch III as well as their families as they go through this difficult time. Arch was a true political force in West Virginia. Gayle and I join all West Virginians in keeping the Moore family in our thoughts and prayers during these painful days of mourning and memory.”

West Virginia University President Gordon Gee said Moore loved West Virginia and was a proud graduate of West Virginia University's law school, said “In fact, his love for our state was evident even as a student. While serving in student government he founded Mountaineer Week, a celebration of the state's culture and heritage, which is still an annual event on our campus each fall. Our sincere condolences go out to Shelley Moore Capito, just sworn in yesterday to her United States Senate seat, Arch III., Lucy and the entire Moore family. We will miss him,” Gee said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., said Moore was a giant in West Virginia politics and was called on by Republicans and Democrats alike for his advice.

"We remember him for his service to the people of West Virginia, but first and foremost he was a husband and father. His love and service for his state and his country will never be forgotten. Mary and I will keep Senator Capito and the entire Moore family in our prayers as they deal with this loss.”

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said his thoughts were with the Moore and Capito families.

"Arch Moore was a man who truly loved the great state of West Virginia and her people, and he dedicated much of his life to serving the state," Morrisey said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., released the following statement on the passing of Moore:

"Grace and I want to offer our deepest condolences to Senator Capito and her family on the passing of her father Governor Arch Moore. I pray the Lord will provide comfort to Senator Capito's family during this time of loss and strengthen their hearts with happy memories of an adored leader."

"Governor Arch Moore broke through historic barriers to become an effective and widely popular leader. His success paved the way for the future of the Republican Party in West Virginia and left an example for those who followed in his path. As a public servant he was passionate about West Virginia and his charismatic presence, across a nearly forty-year public service career, will be fondly remembered."