Thomas Kirkwood Moore (“Tom”), born February 15, 1945, to Robert and Marguerite Moore, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, veteran, mentor, and faithful Christian, Tom lived a life marked by leadership, service, and deep devotion to the people and institutions he loved.
Born in Ohio and raised in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Tom often joked that although he was born in the North, he went to school at The Citadel and never left the South – becoming, in his words, a “born-again Southerner.” Charleston became his beloved home, where he built a life centered around faith, family, football, and service to others.
Tom attended The Citadel, where he played football and was an All-Southern Conference split end and team captain his senior year. After earning his degree, he proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, flying many missions as a Weapons System Officer and backseat pilot. His military service instilled in him a lifelong sense of patriotism, discipline, and honor.
After serving his country, Tom began a career in one of his great passions: coaching football, where he spent much of his life mentoring and guiding young men. He began his distinguished career as an assistant coach at Wichita State University, later being inducted into its Coaching Hall of Fame. He then returned to the South as an assistant coach at Clemson University during much of the 1970s, working as a wide receivers and cornerbacks coach under famed coach Frank Howard. In 1979, he was given the opportunity to become head football coach at Gardner-Webb University, where he helped turn the program around and guided several players to NFL careers. Tom then accepted the head coaching position at his alma mater, The Citadel, in 1983, where in his second season he earned Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors. Tom left a lasting impact on countless players, students, and fellow coaches.
Beyond athletics, Tom was deeply committed to serving his community and his faith. He served as president of a local Christian nonprofit organization, was a vice president and board member of the Better Business Bureau for the state of South Carolina, and was an active and devoted member of St. Philip’s Church. His faith guided his life and shaped the kindness, integrity, and generosity for which he was known.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Tricia Smith Moore; his sister, Nancy Sroka; his daughter, Ashley King; his son, Rhett Moore and wife Leslie; his stepson, Christopher McEniry and wife Kim; and his cherished grandchildren, Travis, Ava, Cameron, Lexie, Clair, and Louisa.
Tom will be remembered for his strength of character, quick wit, deep faith, love of football, and unwavering devotion to family and friends. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched both on and off the field.
A service will be held at St. Philip’s Church at 11:00 a.m. on June 2, 2026, with a reception following in the Great Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Philip’s Archives, 142 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401.