John Allen Moore, native son of Hayesville, North Carolina, passed away suddenly, peacefully without pain on January 20, 2016 at the age of 92. Born September 23, 1923, he was the first born of Claude A. Moore and Myrth Chambers Moore. John’s Scots / Irish roots ran deep in the Western Carolina mountains going all the way back to Clay County’s original pioneer settler, John C. Moore, whose only neighbors were the Cherokee Indians. The enduring strength of these roots bonded him forever to the mountains and the people, instilling in him the values and strength of character which guided him throughout life. He often said, “You can take the man out of the mountains, but you can’t take the mountains out of the man.” After traveling around the world many times, and storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day during WWII, John Allen Moore returned home to his beloved mountains to live out his life giving back to the community which had nurtured him.

John received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Western Carolina University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also did post graduate work at Dartmouth College.

His military service included four years in the Coast Guard / Navy serving in the European Theater for the duration of WWII, participating in all four major invasions of Europe: Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, and Normandy, France on D-Day. After graduating from college he was offered a commission as an officer in the Air-Force Reserves where he finished as a Captain in 1965.

His career in business is highlighted by a 20 year career with DAYCO Corp. based in Waynesville, North Carolina and Dayton, Ohio where he became famous for his negotiating skills. He joined Drackett / Bristol-Myers Squibb Corporation in 1966, retiring as Senior Vice-President in 1989. While at the Drackett Company of Bristol, he wore many hats as Innovator / Inventor, Human Resource Management, Acquisitions, Operations of Profit centers within the company. He served on the Council of World Affairs, hosting the first visiting Chinese Dignitaries after Nixon re-established diplomatic relations in 1978. He traveled extensively opening dialogue with China, Russia, and all the Eastern Block countries, meeting with his counterparts in business and industry.

After returning home to North Carolina, John served on the Morehead / Cain Scholarship Selection Committee and TVA Planning Commission. He established scholarships for future leaders through The John Allen Moore Family Scholarship, using some of the same criteria used in the prestigious Morehead / Cain Scholarship. He was a 33^rd Degree Mason / Shriner; a member of the VFW Allison-Bristol Post 6812 of Hayesville and a member of The First United Methodist Church of Hayesville.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Claude and Myrth Moore; a son, Charles (Chuckie) Edward; a brother, Ralph Moore; and a sister, Martha Ray Carter.

He is survived by his wife, Cassandra Underhill Moore of Erlanger, Kentucky, part of the Greater Cincinnati area where they met 43 years ago. They would have celebrated 39 years of marriage in March. He is survived by his son, Jonathan Robert (Rob) Moore of Vero Beach, Florida; two sisters, Claudine Morris of Nashville, Tennessee and JoAnn Blosser of Charleston, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews from his four siblings.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Monday, February 1, 2016 at The First United Methodist Church of Hayesville with Rev. Kirk Hatherly officiating. The interment was in Ledfords Chapel Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Hayesville VFW Allison-Bristol Post 6812, American Legion Post 532, Murphy American Legion Post 96, and VFW Post 10222 and masonic rites provided by Clay Lodge No. 301. Pallbearers were Abner Moore, Jeff Moore, Tim Cox, Fletcher Bradley, Matt Bruns, and Bill Flatley. Honorary pallbearers were Carl Moore, Jimmy Johnson, Bobby Ledford, Ron West, Allen Redding, Hal Wilkinson, Larry Ford, Lyndell Holt, and Rob Alford.

The family received friends from 6-8 Sunday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville where the body remained until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of John Allen Moore to The John Allen Moore Scholarship Fund; Shriner’s Hospital; VFW Allison-Bristol Property Fund; and The First United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.