John "Jack" Francis Moran

May 22, 1935 - January 28, 2022

VISITATION FOR JACK MORAN TONIGHT IS CANCELED DUE TO POWER OUTAGE AT ST LOUIS CHURCH John (Jack) Francis Moran, Age 86, of Memphis passed away peacefully on January 28, 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Jack was born in Memphis on May 22, 1935 to Ray and Blanche Moran. He was preceded in death by his three brothers Mickey, Eddie, and Bill, and sister, Theresa, all of whom he adored. In June 1962, he married the love of his life Pat McAvoy of Memphis. They were married for 51 years before she went to heaven. Jack and Pat were the loving parents of three children: Jack (Christy) Moran, Jr., Tim (Natalie) Moran, and Cathy (Michael) Bennett. Jack was the cherished grandfather (a.k.a. Peepaw) of nine grandchildren: Jenna (Corey), Kelly (Bradon), Brett, Griff (deceased), David, Paige, Sarah, Austin (Carlie), and Camille. He was the great grandfather of two: Kate and Andrew. Jack’s life journey started at Little Flower grade school where his uncle, Monsignor Joseph Leppert, was Pastor. Monsignor had a tremendous spiritual impact on him as a young boy, which nourished his development in the early years. He went on to Christian Brothers High School where he was involved in athletics and student government. After graduating from CBHS in 1953, Monsignor Leppert’s spiritual influence motivated Jack to enter the seminary at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa with hopes of becoming a Catholic priest. He graduated from St. Ambrose in 1957 and then continued his spiritual education at St. Mary’s University in Baltimore until 1959 when he decided to leave the seminary and pivot into a career of teaching and coaching. Jack started his teaching and coaching career at CBHS in 1960. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Memphis in 1963. He joined the CBHS faculty in 1960 as a young man challenging other young men as a Latin teacher and a football and track coach. He coached the 1964 track team to a state championship. He left the Brothers in the late 60’s to pursue a sales position, but returned to the Brothers in 1974 to follow his passion for teaching and coaching. From 1974 to 1983, he was the head track coach, assistant football coach, and founder of the school’s driver education program. He taught the rules of the road to hundreds of students from CBHS, Saint Agnes, Immaculate Conception, and other local high schools. He founded the CBHS Alumni Association, which still stands strong and vibrant today. He was inducted into The CBHS Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1984, with his three children now in high school and college, Jack pivoted careers again and started his own manufacturer’s representative business, Moran Sales Associates, where he represented various commercial hardware lines. His tireless work ethic, commitment to customer service, and dedication to his craft resulted in the receipt of many accolades and awards in the industry. His true passion was golf. At the 1996 Masters, he was one of the first patrons to shake Greg Norman’s hand coming off the 18th green after his colossal collapse to Nick Faldo. Their conversation sounded like two old friends as Jack consoled him. He was a member of Memphis National Golf Club for many years, where he played religiously with his golf buddies. If you couldn’t find Jack, he was on the golf course. Following his 2012 retirement from the commercial hardware business, he answered the call to coach again. He returned to CBHS as a volunteer track coach, dedicating his afternoons to countless track athletes, with one athlete winning the 2013 state championship for the hurdles. As a volunteer coach, he gave the priceless gift of his time. He was a giant, not because of his stature, but because of his influence. They say the truest test of a coach is the ability to relate to your student-athletes over time, as you age. He embodied this attribute. With current and former students and student-athletes, he spoke and they listened. In 2020, the track at Tom Nix Stadium was dedicated as The Jack Moran Track. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2010, but it never slowed him down. He never complained. He was an inspiration to many through his dedication to the 901 Parkinson’s Fighters boxing group. He was a role model for others stricken with the disease by his continued encouragement and positive outlook. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave the boxing ring. He always had a smile and an encouraging word for its members. Jack spent his last few years as a resident of Trezevant in Memphis. The staff affectionately called him “Coach” when they addressed him. Our family wants to thank all the caregivers at Trezevant for your love, kindness, and dedication to keeping him comfortable during his stay. Jack was a model family man with a legacy of loving, coaching, and teaching his children and grandchildren, in addition to mentoring hundreds of students and student-athletes. As the kind strong leader of our family, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren learned the ultimate importance of family from him. His impact is far greater than he ever realized. If you can run the high hurdles, he probably coached you. If you know the Latin root for “auditorium”, he probably taught you. If you got more out of yourself than you ever thought possible, he probably inspired you. If you can navigate a four-way stop, he probably trained you (alert the angels because they’re about to learn how to parallel park). One of our family’s fondest memories occurred in 1977. Many will remember CBHS won the football state championship that year. The week before the game, as an assistant coach, Jack implemented a trick play. With only seconds left in the 4th quarter and CBHS down 5, legendary head coach Tom Nix called the trick play. The quarterback pitched to a receiver on an end around, who stopped, turned, and threw back to the quarterback racing to the end zone. Touchdown. Championship. On January 28, Coach Moran threw it back to his quarterbacks, God and Jesus Christ. Now he rests comfortably in heaven with family members that have preceded him. ************ The funeral mass will be Saturday, February 5 at 10am, also at Saint Louis Church, followed by a burial service at Calvary Cemetery. Canale Funeral Home has charge. In remembrance of Jack’s life, our family requests donations be made to either the 901 Parkinson’s Fighters at www.901parkinsonsfighters.com or to the Coach Jack and Pat Moran Memorial Fund at CBHS 5900 Walnut Grove Road Memphis TN 38120 or www.CBHS.org.