Benjamin Donald Moore

          Benjamin D. “Ben” Moore, died Monday, August 12, 2024, after an illness.  The son of Don and Esther Moore, he was born on August 10, 1950 and grew up in Easley, South Carolina. He graduated in 1968 from Easley High School, where he served on the student counsel and played on the golf team. A talented musician, Ben was equally adept at singing, piano and guitar. He played keyboards and sang in a locally famous rock band, The Hounds of Fate, who toured all around the upstate area while they were still in high school. He also enjoyed singing folk songs from an early age with his younger brother Jack who learned to sing harmony because Ben had the lead parts covered!

          Ben received his Bachelors degree in History at Wofford College where he was active in student government and served as Student Government Secretary his senior year. After Wofford, he entered the South Carolina National Guard, where he spent more than 20 years before retiring from the Judge Advocate General Corps with the rank of major.

          Ben obtained a juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1976. He originally intended to return to the upstate, but took a job in Florence in 1977 for what he thought would be one year. Life happily intervened, though, and Ben made Florence his home for the next 47 years. Soon after arriving in Florence, he met Carol Cox, the love of his life, and they have been married since January 1981, raising their two adored children, Katie and Andrew.

          Ben was of counsel to the Wukela Law Firm in Florence for most of his career. He had wide experience in several areas of law, but his greatest expertise was in residential and commercial real estate. He successfully completed more that 10,000 real estate closings. He taught seminars and helped countless attorneys learn proper real estate procedures. He served as legal counsel for the Pee Dee Realtors Association from 2006 to 2014.  A self-styled “Yellow Dog Democrat,” Ben had a lifelong interest in politics and was not shy about sharing is informed opinions. He lectured in political science for a number of years at Frances Marion University.

          Long active in civic and community affairs, Ben was chairman of the Florence County United Way, the Administrative Board of Highland Park United Methodist Church, the Florence County Mental Health Association and the Palmetto Civitan Club. He was elected the youngest ever Governor of the South Carolina Civitan District in 1982 and was a member of the Civitan International Board of Directors. Ben received the Civitan International’s highest award, the Honor Key, at the 1989 International  Convention.

          Ben is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Carol Cox Moore, and daughter Katie Moore Gordon, son-in-law Michael (Mikey) Brett Gordon, and grandchildren Mason, Drew and Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Esther Moore, and his dearly beloved son, Andrew Pickens Moore.

          He is also survived by his brother, Jack Moore, nephews Daniel Moore and Jacob Moore, niece Carolyn (Josh) Moore Craddock and their children, Kaitlyn and Evelyn.  His brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jeff and Paula Cox and sister-in-law Cathy Cox. Nieces Candice (Ashley) Anderson and their daughter Ada; Carissa (Rodney) Cox and their sons Colby, Dawson and Gage; and nephews Gavin (Meagen) Cox and their children Raelyn and Nolan; and Eric Cox 

          A service to celebrate Ben’s life will be held at Highland Park Methodist Church on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 11am with visitation at 10am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Ben can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or to Highland Park United Methodist Church.

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