Samuel M. Moore, Jr.

Samuel Marion Moore, Jr., 73, of Kannapolis, passed away at home on Sunday, October 8, 2023.

Sam was born January 24, 1950, to the late Dorothy Lorraine and Samuel Marion Moore, Sr. in Mecklenburg County, NC. He grew up in Indian Trail, NC, and graduated with honors from Appalachian State University in 1973 with a B.S. in Industrial Arts.

Sam met his wife Linda while they were students at Appalachian; they married on August 4, 1973. They have a son, Derek, and a daughter, Kati.

Sam was dedicated to his faith in God and to his church. Most recently at Center Grove Lutheran Church he served as worship leader, Elder, and for seven years as Church Council President. He also served in various capacities as an active member of the Kannapolis Rotary Club.

Sam’s lifelong passion for cars, which began in childhood, led him to teach auto mechanics at West Mecklenburg High School for 21 years, establish a car dealership, Bavarian Motors of Charlotte, plus build and drive race cars in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). During his four decades with the SCCA he won countless races, including the 2001 and 2002 American Road Race of Champions, and was the Southeast Division Champion in American Sedan in 1995 and in E Production in 2011. He was awarded the SCCA Central Carolinas Region Driver of the Year Award in 1992 and 2001, and the Jim Fitzgerald Award in 1991. He built and raced numerous cars, including a BMW 2002, a Volvo 142e, a Mustang, a Firebird, a Camaro, a BMW Z3, and a Honda Civic, among others. As part of the racing community, he ran an active business in racecar preparation, specializing in engine building.

Sam is survived by his wife, Linda; children Derek and Kati; siblings Carolyn Frost (husband Dennis Frost), Clayton Moore, Philip Moore (wife Lori Lette), and Kelly Moore; sister-in-law Jane Miller (husband Jerry Miller); five nieces and nephews, and other family and friends.

The funeral service and repast will be held on Saturday, October 28 at 2:00 PM at Center Grove Lutheran Church at 1601 South Cannon Blvd. in Kannapolis. Memorial gifts may be made to Center Grove Lutheran Church.