March 31, 2023, was a sad day for me and many others. My friend David Lee Mooring passed away a few minutes before 7 p.m. that Friday. Frankly, I was shocked. David had fought off so many illnesses during the past couple of years that I was sure he would emerge triumphant from his latest sickness.

I do not remember when David and I first met and became friends. I cannot remember a time I did not know him. We worked closely together on numerous projects. We were both members of the Wheat Swamp Ruritan Club, and we served together on the board of the CSS Neuse Foundation. He served on the Lenoir County Historical Association board and worked with the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

I have often told others that if anything in our community was happening that involved food, David was sure to be at the heart of it. He spearheaded efforts for many reverse drawings that served meals as a perk for buying tickets.

He put together the “Galley Crew” for the CSS Neuse Foundation – the talented cooks who prepare the chicken wings for “Wings Over the Neuse” and the breakfast foods for “Breakfast on the Boat.” He was also active with Soup & a Bowl for the Community Council of the Arts for several years.

Where David perhaps shined most was working with young people. David was an Agriculture Education Teacher and FFA Advisor for 34 years. He started his teaching career at Clyde A. Erwin High School in Ashville from 1980-1982. Then David had the opportunity to return home to teach at North Lenoir High School. He taught at North Lenoir from 1982 through 2012, and he returned as a tired teacher to teach from 2016-2017.

Whenever he needed help with a project, he could always count on his FFA students to show up in force. Their love and respect for him were evident to anyone who saw them in action. His love and care for them were just as obvious. I was not surprised when I learned that David was recognized as North Carolina’s FFA Agriscience Teacher of the Year 1994, nor that he was a National FFA Alumni Lifetime Member of North Lenoir’s FFA.

David’s work ethic kept him laser-focused on any task at hand. He had little use for those who talked but never walked the walk. He could get more things done accidentally than most people could do on purpose. He led by example. He was not a leader who gave directions and let others do the work. David was one of the hardest-working people I have ever known.

His passing leaves a deep void in our community. How many people will have to rise to fill David’s void in Kinston and Lenoir County? His commitment to community service set the pattern others need to follow.

I know his family will deeply miss him. I hope they understand David’s many friends will miss his inspiration, humor, wisdom, and hard work. We were all better people through our association with David Lee Mooring.           

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.