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Pinellas Teacher Advocate Moore, 61, Dies

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By MARILYN BROWN

mbrown@tampatrib.com

Published: December 19, 2008

TAMPA - Jade Moore, the face of the Pinellas County teachers union for more than three decades, died early Thursday.

Moore, 61, the executive director of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, had been hospitalized since Tuesday after a stroke.

He worked closely with the district for decades but was a tough advocate for teachers. Most recently he ended up on the winning side of arbitration over the hours worked by middle school teachers, but continued battling over teacher pay.

Candid and witty, Moore rarely censored his opinions on any subject - including politicians. He was close to former Pinellas Schools Superintendent Scott Rose.

"He stood head and shoulders above any others in the state," Rose said Thursday. "He had to be good or he wouldn't have lasted 30 years."

Moore earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of South Florida, but adopted the University of Florida, the alma mater of his wife of 38 years, Sue. The couple have two daughters, Michelle and Jennifer, and a 6-month-old granddaughter.

A memorial service is scheduled Jan. 3 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2001 Rainbow Drive, Clearwater.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069.

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