Friends, family and coworkers came to wish Ernie Moore a happy retirement this past December. Moore had been the Executive Director with Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) for over 14 years; implementing many grants and improvements to the communities he has served.

While being the Executive Director his responsibilities included developing regional and planning development assistance for economic expansion in a seven-county district which included Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties.

Moore’s work career began in June, 1979, when he went to work for the Bethany Fire Department. Later he would become Fire Chief in 1995 and eventually retired from the fire department in November 2001.

Both Ernie and his wife, LouAnn, would be inducted into the Bethany Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 2001 before moving to Checotah.

In 2001, he and his wife would move to the Pierce area and build their retirement home. However, being the civil servant he was, it didn’t take long before Moore was involved with his local fire department and started volunteering at the FAIC Volunteer Fire Department. Then the City of Checotah hired him as their Director of Emergency Services from 2004 to 2005 before he began working at the EODD as the Rural Fire Coordinator and then Executive Director.

Although Moore left the life of a full-time firefighter years ago, he has never lost his love or concern for rural fire safety. So, throughout his career at EODD, he has continued to work closely with U.S. Forestry on many projects. Thus he was very fundamental in helping establish the fire safety tax in our local communities.

Checotah City Councilman (Ward 4) Jay Hayes stated he has had the privilege of working with Moore in various roles and is thankful for everything he has done for so many in the community.

“I can say that Ernie is the consummate leader,” Hayes said. “He is a man of unquestionable character who puts his heart and soul into everything he does. Yet he never asks more of anyone than he’s willing to give himself. He is also just as willing to work behind the scenes to help others be successful. I have the utmost respect for Ernie and I have learned so much working alongside him through the years. If I could describe Ernie is one word – Tireless! He hits the ground running every day and even in his retirement he plans to continue serving his community.”

Moore is a still doing some contracting but stated now he has time to make more plans with his wife, his three children, five grandsons, and two great granddaughters. However, his next big accomplishment will come in May when he and his wife will celebrate their 5oth wedding anniversary.