Herbert Lamar Moore, Jr. entered into eternal rest on January 22, 2026, surrounded by family at his home in Charleston, SC. He was 83 years old. Services will be held at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Orangeburg, SC at 4:00pm on Friday, January 30, 2026. A memorial will follow at The Pavillion at House of Pizza, located at 1375 Sims Street.


Herb was born in Augusta, GA on January 8, 1943. His family moved to Charleston when Herb was young, where he met his future wife, Kathy, in middle school. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went through basic training at Parris Island, an experience that would inspire him to write his first book, Rows of Corn. Herb and Kathy were married upon his discharge from the Marines in 1964.


They moved to Orangeburg in 1978, where Herb served as the first Chief of the Wolfton Volunteer Fire Department, having been integral to its formation and early growth. Over the next forty plus years he touched countless lives in the community. Herb's generous and selfless nature was always on display, whether he was leading rescue efforts on the scene of a fire, coaching kids from the sideline of a soccer game, or telling stories of dubious veracity to anyone who would listen. After retiring as Deputy Director of Emergency Services for Orangeburg County, he and Kathy bought an RV and embarked on dozens of trips around the country, with their dogs in tow.


Herb was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Lamar Moore Sr. and Martha Bailey Moore; and younger brother, Billy Moore. He is survived by his wife Kathy; sons Jeff (Inna) and Greg (Molly); grandchildren Isaac, Silas, Elijah, Addie, James, and Elinor; sister Patricia (Lewis); sister-in-law Kyndra, and too many friends to name.


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Herb's memory to the Wolfton Volunteer Fire Department, 6505 North Road, North, SC 29112.