Distinguished educator Dr. Lawrence Homer Moore Jr., 83, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Rehabilitation Centre of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles surrounded by his devoted and loving family.
Born in Dallas, Texas, the eldest son of Lawrence Homer Moore, Sr. and Edna Mae (Posey) Moore, he lived in Detroit, Michigan until the age of 10 before becoming a lifelong resident of Los Angeles, California. His parents, his wife of 55 years Genova LaVerne (Morris) Moore, his sister Dorothy Kay Jackson and his brothers John Alfred Moore and Jimmie Moore, preceded him in death.
He will be remembered as an educator that believed in the talent of children and the success they could achieve with proper education resources and devoted professional teachers. Dr. Moore was active in many important professional associations. He and his wife were an extraordinary team committed to improving the education of children, especially those of color. They were leaders in the National Council on Educating the Black Child and the Council of Black Administrators, which in 2017 established the Dr. Lawrence H. Moore Human Relationships Scholarships to be awarded to students demonstrating leadership in promoting positive intergroup relations at their schools and in their communities.
After graduating from Manual Arts High School in 1953, where he played trumpet in the school band and was on the junior varsity football team, Dr. Moore joined and served in the Air Force until 1957. He met his wife while attending Los Angeles City College and they married on December 19, 1959. Subsequently, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) in 1961, a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1966, and a Ph.D. in Executive Management Training from Claremont Graduate School in 1987. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Dr. Moore’s career in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) began in September 1961. He served as an elementary school teacher, a special education teacher, an adult education teacher, a vice-principal and a principal. He also held administrative positions as Director of Instruction, Cluster Administrator, Coordinator, and Director of Professional Development. In partnership with African-American, Asian, Jewish and Mexican-American associations, Dr. Moore organized the Multicultural Coalition to promote better human relations within LAUSD. Upon his retirement in June 2000, he continued as a LAUSD substitute teacher for two years and taught as an adjunct professor at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). He and his wife also earned their real estate licenses and were involved in property management.
Dr. Moore received numerous awards, among others, the Charter College of Education Distinguished Educator Award, the Honorable Augustus F. Hawkins Distinguished Service Award, the Association of California School Administrators Outstanding Administrator and the Diane E. Watson Award.
In tribute to his extraordinary education career, in 2011, the LAUSD Board of Education named a new school in his honor—Dr. Lawrence H. Moore Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy.
Dr. Moore had several interests beyond education. He enjoyed attending USC Trojans and L.A. Rams football games with his family, listening to jazz, taking a drive to the beach or Griffith Park, going to the movies and traveling. As a youth, Dr. Moore would help make hot link sausages in his father’s restaurant. Over the years, his secret barbecue sauce became a favorite at family gatherings.
Dr. Moore was a loyal and committed husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He maintained a positive attitude, a good-natured sense of humor and a readiness to help others achieve their goals and dreams. He was also a lifelong member and supporter of Trinity Baptist Church of Los Angeles.
He leaves his son Marc Keith Moore (Tammie); daughters Lauri Michele Moore-Sportiello (Rossano) and Leilani Nicole Moore; his sister Gwen Moore-Dobson (Ronald); four grandchildren: Christina Carr, Dylan Moore, Mason Moore and Elijah Watson; and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday May 18 at 10AM at Trinity Baptist Church 2040 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles.
