June 28, 2021, 80, La Grange –
Thomas Dewey Mooring, Jr. peacefully passed away at home on Monday, June 28, 2021. Dewey was born in Lenoir County to the late Thomas Dewey Mooring, Sr. and Hazel Croom Mooring on January 27, 1941.
He was raised in La Grange and was a 1959 graduate of La Grange High where he was all-conference in football. Mooring left town first to attend UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned a BA in Journalism. He then proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years, followed by short periods with the National Park Service and as a teacher.
Dewey returned to Chapel Hill to earn his law degree and set his career path. Having grown up in La Grange, he returned to town in 1975 to open a practice on West Railroad Street. He spent more than three decades serving his friends and neighbors in the community as attorney and advocate, his office never located more than a block from where he was born.
He retired more than a decade ago and spent his time with the people and activities he loved. Of all of Dewey’s passions, perhaps his favorite was for travel. He and his wife Martha loved driving and exploring the country without set plans, just the two of them and an atlas. They toured Europe and South America as well. Their trips to Alaska and Machu Picchu fulfilled two lifelong dreams.
At home in retirement, he enjoyed time with his grandchildren, was an avid collector, reader, and woodworker. He loved to combine these, whether discussing books with family or taking an arrowhead hunting expedition with his grandchildren.
Services to remember Dewey’s life will be held privately. At the family’s request, contributions in his memory may be made to the Lenoir County Historical Association.
Dewey is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Martha Garris Mooring; children, Erwin Stokes Blanchard (Whit), Ransom Garris Stokes (Lillian), Thomas Dewey Mooring, III (Robyn), and Margaret Mooring Cottle (Chris); grandchildren, Thomas Dewey Uzzell (Tee), Dare Uzzell, Garris Stokes, Mary Martha Stokes, Tyler Mooring, Alex Mooring, Jack Evans, Anna Evans, Paige Bussolati, Jakob Bussolati, Madison Cottle, and Colt Cottle; and brother, Ronald Edward Mooring (Mary).
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
