Seems like only yesterday, one could
walk into the Bank of Hindman, or Family
Drug Store, or Dairy Queen, and depending on
the time of day, see James Moore. And you
can bet you would see him at any Knott
County Central basketball game. He loved his
work, his friends, basketball, and later in
life, golf. James was born April 1, 1939, to
Oma Triplett and Kelly Moore of Salt Lick,
Kentucky. This was a Knott County the
younger generations living here now would
not recognize. Being poor was the norm. Most
families were large, surviving on the land.
Hillsides were planted in corn, there was a
hog or two fattening up for the fall
slaughter, and going to town on a Saturday
was a big deal. James said many times he
didn't know he was poor. He was loved,
nurtured, and encouraged into the fine man
we honor here today. In 1957, he graduated
as valedictorian from Hindman High School,
went on to get a college degree, and came
back to live among and serve his friends in
the mountains, while so many others left to
find work in cities like Detroit, Chicago,
and Dayton. His first job was as head
teacher at Jones Fork Elementary. When the
coaching position opened at Knott County
High School in Pippa Passes, he followed his
passion and taught and coached there until
the school closed. He worked for a while
with the Board of Education, then moved on
to be director of the Neighborhood Youth
Corps, ending his working career at the Bank
of Hindman.
But what most people remember when the think
of James Moore, is not his accomplishments
(even that phenomenal jump shot that seemed
to pause in mid-air for an eternity), but
his character. It took an awful lot to rile
James Moore. He was humble; patient,
kindhearted, and a wonderful listener. He
truly loved people.
His reputation was precious to him, and he
lived each day to earn the respect of those
who knew and trusted him. James' sister,
Elizabeth Moore Terry of Mousie, has this
memory of James, "As a child he was very
well behaved and made up his mind what he
would be in the future. He was an achiever
and was determined to be successful".
While at Pikeville College, James met and on
May 4,1962, married Maribeth Englehart. To
this union was born five children: Kelly,
Jamie, Kim, Julie, and
Trinity. James leaves behind a memory of
yesterday and a hope for tomorrow. Being
poor when one is born, does not condemn one
to a life of poverty. Being five-foot ten
inches does not eliminate the opportunity to
bean outstanding basketball player. Being
humble does not make one invisible. Fifty
six is too young to die. His family wishes
he could see those 11 grandchildren growing
up, not to mention the great-grandchild who
will be here in January. His community
wishes he could see all the changes going on
as we grow and develop. But most of all, we
wish we could see him -at the Bank of
Hindman, or Napier's Drug Store, or Dairy
Queen, or the ball game. |