Moore belongs to the ages after HOF induction

Moore belongs to the ages after HOF induction

Former Blue Devil head coach leaves long legacy in West Memphis

WM School District HOT SPRINGS — West Memphis' Grafton Moore took his place among the all-time greats of high school coaching in Arkansas here last Friday night, and he had plenty of support on hand.

Dozens of family members, coaching cohorts, West Memphis school administrators and personal friends saw the former Blue Devil football head coach receive his award from his own successor, Lanny Dauksch.

Other coaches and referees to be inducted into the Arkansas High school Coaches Association Hall of Fame included referees Ron Bellomy, Donald Duncan, John Kelley, Ned Skoog, Leon Sparks and Redell Thompson as well as Bettye Francis, Levanders Randall and Jim Rowland along with coaches Charles Berry, Barry Lunney Sr., Dr.

Robert Paynter, Kenneth Rippy and Johnny Toombs. Two things many West Memphians might not know about their favorite son Moore.

First, he was actually born in Shreveport, La., and he initially wanted to be a sports writer.

However, he chose coaching, and even one of his best friends, and former Blue Devil football teammate Jimmy Whisenhunt could tell early on that Moore was meant to coach.

'We used to spend our summers playing wiffle ball,' said Whisenhunt, who will be inducted into the West Memphis Sports Hall of Fame on September 15 as a member of the famed 1963 Blue Devil football team.

'We would walk from one side of town to the other to play ball. If ever there was a human being meant to coach kids it's Grafton. He is the very definition of coach.'

Whisenhunt accepted Moore's invite to attend last Friday's induction ceremony, sitting with Moore's family, which included his wife Lynette, daughter Kelly and son-inlaw Alan Harrell, who is a former player under Moore at WMHS.

Moore compiled a 21191-1 career record as coach.

Of course, most also know he stuck his nose in various other sports at WMHS, including girls basketball and starting the school's baseball program in 1982 and coaching through 1986.

'To me, a lot of people forget how good a baseball coach he was,' said Frank Fisher, one of few, along with West Memphis superintendent Jon Collins, to play and coach under Moore.

'I can't believe it took this long to get him into the Hall of Fame, but it's an honor to be here for it,' Fisher added. 'He was an inspiration to a lot of kids in West Memphis, and I'm one of them.'

Another special guest of Moore's last Friday night was former Blue Devil assistant football coach Jesse Parks, who coached under Moore at West Memphis from 1978-85 and with as an assistant under Moore at Marianna from 1976-77.

'Two things I can say about Grafton: Great friend and a (heckuva) coach,' Parks said. 'I have a whole lot of respect for him.

When I left the program he made me feel welcome to come back any time I wanted. I learned a whole lot from him.'

In an ironic twist, Moore and Dauksch swapped places in being honored at the banquet. Last year, Dauksch, who coached the Blue Devils from 20012013, was inducted into the Hall of Fame and Moore received the Curt King Award, which is presented to an individual whose qualities of service and dedication are basic to a successful coaching career.

Last Friday night, Dauksch was given the Curt King Award.

By Billy Woods