Harley Joe Moore

It is with great emotion that the family and friends of Harley Joe Moore (aged 43) announce his departure from this life on March 15, 2024.

From an early age, Harley possessed a keen intellect and an immense capacity and appetite for learning.  As a voracious reader, there wasn’t a genre or type of printed material (fiction or nonfiction) that was safe from his eyes or brain.  His love of the printed word along with life experiences gave him a deep understanding but constantly inquiring view of the world, theology, philosophy, languages, and a host of other varied subjects. An avid collector of books, his personal library encompassed well over 600 titles, his favorites being written by Friedrich Nietzsche, Ernest Hemingway, Walt Whitman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Steinbeck, Sigmund Freud, Stephen King, and many renowned ancient philosophers.

Harley truly considered life a continual and evolving experience and readily devoured anything that would make him more erudite.  In school, he would often get reprimanded for challenging authority in the classroom, when in actuality he was questioning the knowledge and pedagogy of said authorities and his thirst and propensity for learning. Already knowing the things being taught in the early years of high school, it was common for him to be asked to leave class, or just leave on his own will out of sheer boredom. Sneaking into lectures at the University of South Carolina would sometimes calm his cravings for knowledge, while also doubling as a source of entertainment for him. A wizard of trivia, he rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy... he loved challenging his own knowledge.  

Outside of his constant craving of knowledge, Harley also had a keen ear for music and sharp eye for the arts.  While he loved the older and classic performers and bands such as Bob Dylan, Metallica, Allman Brothers, and Black Sabbath, he had an affinity for the more recent rock legends such as Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Chris Cornell, Nirvana, Tool, and Godsmack.  At a young age, Harley taught himself to play the piano, was a self-taught guitar player, and played his sister’s drums better than she ever could.  Aside from his love for music, Harley had a deep appreciation for painting and photography, both of which he tried his hand at.

Love, art, philosophy, politics, theology, music... Harley dissected them all, wielding logic like a sword.  However, beneath a sometimes harsh and dark facade, he harbored a softness...and when he loved you and considered you a friend, it was palpable. Harley’s friends were valued, and they felt it, despite his enigmatic personality.  Those who knew him the best reveled in his brilliance, forgave his eccentricities, and loved him for who he was...a formidable but sometimes fragile vessel.

He was an intense person with many complex layers that made up his personality and demeanor.  He would sometimes leave us to speculate about the shadows he wrestled with and the demons that would haunt him. Harley was definitely the sage of our small county and was a paradox wrapped up in books, his friends, and within himself.

Harley would often say as he grew older that he paid less attention to what people say and just watch what they do.  He stated that actions speak louder than any words, and he would encourage others to be true to yourself, be true to others, be open about your feelings, and love when you can. While Harley loved to quote his favorite authors, artists, and philosophers, it is instead his own words he would most likely want to leave with us during this time:

“There’s a drawback to aging...outliving the people you love.”

-Harley J. Moore

So, from all of us, Harley – you will be so deeply missed.

Harley is predeceased by his father, William J. Moore, and beloved dog, Merlin.  Harley is survived by his mother, Teresa Moore of Lugoff, South Carolina, and sister, Angel R. Moore of New York, New York.  In addition to his direct family, Harley leaves behind extended family and scores of friends and confidants. Harley also shared a special fondness for the local Trinity MC, as his dad served as past president, and remains a forever valued member and brother of the club.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel.  A visitation for his friends and family will be held at 11:00am, followed by a funeral service at 12:00pm.  James Faile and Dr. Charles King will officiate.  Burial service will follow at Malvern Hill Baptist Church, where Harley will be laid to rest beside his father, the late William J. Moore.  The pallbearers will be Will Durant, Dr. Charles King, Todd Hinson, Ben Hinson, Michael Stephens, and Angel R. Moore.  Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Hinson, Joe Roscoe, and Harrold Deese.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kershaw County Library in his name. 

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

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