Family and friends remember life of DeKalb County teacher who died saving girl: "He always showed up"
Family and friends will gather on Saturday morning to celebrate the life of Derrick Moore, the DeKalb County teacher and coach who drowned earlier this month while saving a young girl at Myrtle Beach.
On Aug. 7, Moore spotted a young girl struggling in the ocean and jumped into the water to help. He was able to get her to safety but was pulled under by a rip current.
Moore's funeral will be held Saturday at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church at 10 a.m. with a public visitation at 9 a.m. The church is located on Woodrow Road in Stonecrest.
Michael Porter, a long-time friend of Moore, said the teacher was dedicated to his family and friends. The two played sports, attended Samford University together, and joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.
He said he has been friends with Moore for about 30 years and was very heartbroken when he received news about his death.
"One of my other fraternity brothers called me and let me know, and of course when I first heard the news I thought he was playing with me. I thought that is not something to play about," Porter said.
Porter said he gathered with Moore and other friends almost weekly.
"We have a standing card game where me and a lot of my fraternity brothers just go to Buckhead to one of my friend's houses, and we play cards every Friday night. It is just something that we do," he said. "If I can say anything that will just sum Derrick up, he was always there, and what I mean by that is, like with our weekly card game, there were nights I didn't go, I didn't feel like going, or I was traveling, right? He showed up every time."
Porter said the news of Moore's death quickly spread throughout the fraternity and those who knew him will always remember the DeKalb County man for his character.
"For the man that he was, and if there is anything that I can get across in this interview is that most people will remember him dying as a hero, right? But for the people that knew him, they'll know, we know, that he lived as a hero too," he said.
Porter described Moore as a dedicated family man and father of four as well as a loyal friend.
"If it was anything with his kids, anything with his family, or anything with his friends, he always showed up. He was always there. It just didn't matter," he said.
Many of their friends are experiencing a very difficult time coping with the loss, Porter said.
"Because of how active he was not only in his kids' life but because he was an example for all my friends who have kids. How he mentored their kids as well as his kids and how he was always present," he said.
He recalled a time last year when a family member reached out to him while visiting Atlanta. Porter was traveling at the time and suggested that the individual join Moore and the other guys at the Friday night card game.
"So he went over there, and, sure enough, him and Derrick had a great time," he said.
He said Moore was known for being able to connect with most people.
"He made sure that you never felt out of place, right? He knew how to meet you at whatever level you were at, and he always made you feel comfortable," Porter explained.
Moore loved Atlanta dearly, he said.
"He was Atlanta through and through."
Porter said he was surprised that Moore died because he was like a superhuman to so many people.
"He was really into fitness. The guy is a freaking gym rat. He looked like a bodybuilder, so I was surprised that he passed, but not by the actions that led him to passing because that is who he is," Porter said. "It made sense. I hated to lose him, but it made perfect sense with how he conducted and lived his life. He is missed. Everybody is missing him."
Porter said discussions are taking place about possibly establishing an award in Moore's honor.
"We are definitely going to get the Derrick Moore Courage Award set up at Samford University. I just have to get the blessing from his family first. Because we don't want to do that without their approval," he said.
