SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1025

In Memory

of

W. Winfred Moore

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of pastor and Amarillo civic leader Dr. W. Winfred Moore, who died May 8, 2015, at the age of 95; and

WHEREAS, Winfred Moore was a pillar of strength for his church and his community, and he inspired all those who knew him with his warm and generous spirit, his humility, and his ability to bring out the best in people; and

WHEREAS, Born February 15, 1920, to Sadie and Elgin Moore, he grew up in Alamo, Tennessee; he accepted his call to the ministry at the age of 19 and was ordained at First Baptist Church of Alamo; and

WHEREAS, While attending Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, he met and married his beloved wife, the late Elizabeth Moore, who became an integral part of his ministry; they enjoyed 71 years of marriage together and raised three children, Fred, Anne, and Maria; he was blessed with six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Moore served as pastor at churches in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama and in Borger, Texas, before beginning his service in Amarillo; he became pastor of First Baptist Church in Amarillo in 1959 and began a 30-year ministry that had a profound impact on the lives of church members and on the fabric of life in the city; and

WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the church experienced remarkable growth; he played an important role in the creation of its Family Life Center and in raising funds for the Park Place Towers Retirement Center adjacent to the church; the church was one of the first in the region to televise its Sunday morning services, and his deep, resonant bass voice became familiar to residents across the Panhandle; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Moore was instrumental in a wide range of community initiatives, notably the establishment of High Plains Baptist Hospital, Saint Anthony's Hospice, and the Ronald McDonald House; he played a vital role in the success of such organizations as the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon, the Amarillo Area Foundation, the Rotary Club, and Faith City Mission, and he is the only person to have been twice named the Amarillo Globe-News Man of the Year; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from First Baptist Church in 1989 and being honored as pastor emeritus, he joined the faculty of Baylor University, and he served as a visiting distinguished professor of religion for 16 years; he also became director of the university's Center for Ministry Effectiveness; the W. Winfred and Elizabeth Moore Visiting Professorship in Ministry Guidance was established at the university in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Moore was a man of abiding faith, exemplary character, and good cheer; he gave unselfishly to others, and his wise counsel, his encouraging spirit, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will continue to serve as an inspiration to those who were privileged to share in his life; and

WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will long be cherished by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of W. Winfred Moore; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of W. Winfred Moore.

Seliger

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 27, 2015, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate