John Watson Moore
Born to John Wallace Moore and Mary Eleanor "Ellie" Reid on April 20, 1891 in Kobe, Japan (Early photos)
At the age of 11, when his family returned to Japan, he was left with his Grandfather, John Wilson Moore, to be educated. Indeed, because he felt so appreciative for the many ways by his "Grandpa" educated him that he later wrote his memories or John Wilson Moore.
John Watson was also educated at Davidson College, in the class of 1912. After graduating from Davidson, he joined the Army and went to France in 1918 as a Captain in the US Army Cavalry in the First World War. His life was spared by a recall to the US to teach new officers.
He married Marjorie Kinnear McAlpine on Aug 14, 1919, in Black Mountain NC and settled in Winston-Salem N.C. to became a teacher, principal, and then superintendent (for 23 years) of the schools there.
The John W. Moore elementary school in Winston-Salem was named after him and displays his portrait, painted by Joe King*, in the Principal's office. He was also honored with a degree of "Doctor of Pedagogy" by Davidson College for his work with Winston Schools.
He died May 23, 1968 at the age of 77 from a heart attack. David Burr conducted his Funeral service in the first Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem on May 25. He was buried at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church** in the Moore family plot.
* Joe King, of Winston-Salem, also painted protraits:
Queen Elizabeth II and
Dr. William Friday, renouned President of UNC; it hangs in the Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
**On Beatties Ford Rd. near Huntersville and Davidson, NC.
