Arch A. Moore Jr.
A West Virginia political force who became its longest-serving governor, a tenure later shadowed by a federal corruption conviction.
1923–2015 (age 92)·American politician·Birthday: April 16·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Arch Moore was the embodiment of West Virginia's Republican politics for a generation, a shrewd and formidable operator who knew every county courthouse and coal town. He built his career from the ground up, serving in the state legislature and the U.S. House before capturing the governor's mansion. His first two terms were marked by a hands-on, disaster-response leadership style, notably during the 1972 Buffalo Creek flood. After a failed Senate bid, he staged a remarkable comeback to win a third gubernatorial term in 1984. However, his legacy was permanently fractured when, after leaving office, he was convicted on federal corruption charges including extortion and obstruction of justice, serving nearly three years in prison. Despite this, his family's political dynasty continued with his daughter and granddaughter serving in Congress.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Arch was born in 1923, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Arch Was Born
The biggest hits of 1923
#1 Movie
The Covered Wagon
Arch's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1923Born
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1928Started school
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1936Became a teenager
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Could drive
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1941Could vote
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1944Turned 21
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1953Turned 30
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 40
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 50
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 60
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 70
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2003Turned 80
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2015Died at 92
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
Key Achievements
- Served as Governor of West Virginia for three terms (1969-1977, 1985-1989), the longest tenure in state history.
- Secured federal disaster relief and oversaw the reconstruction after the catastrophic 1972 Buffalo Creek flood.
- Was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving West Virginia's 1st district from 1957 to 1969.
- Founded a political dynasty; his daughter Shelley Moore Capito became a U.S. Senator and his granddaughter Riley Moore a U.S. Representative.
Did You Know?
He was a decorated veteran of World War II, receiving a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
His 1984 gubernatorial comeback made him the first West Virginia governor elected to a third term.
He pleaded guilty to five felony charges in 1990, including mail fraud and tax fraud.
He earned a law degree from West Virginia University while serving in the state legislature.
“I am a West Virginian first, last, and always.”
