He also previously served as 1st Vice President of the California/Hawaii NAACP and was a co-founder and co-chair of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet of Silicon Valley, among his many other leadership roles on local boards and commissions.
Moore’s friends and peers said he earned and retained the respect of people everywhere because of his commitment to lifting up those who were facing civil rights or human rights challenges.
“He was always looking out for the best interest of not just African and African Ancestry people, but Latino people, women, LGBTQ, everyone whose rights have been abridged,” said Walter Wilson, a South Bay civil rights advocate and friend of Moore. “And Jeff would always be the first one there. He was just an amazing, kind, warm, loving person.”
Moore often spoke out on critical issues impacting people in his community, including policing, racial inequalities, affordable housing and homelessness.
He harshly criticized San José police officers for their aggressive and violent response to protests following the murder of George Floyd and called for better leadership in the department. Moore, at one point, stood between protesters and officers as he tried to ease tensions in downtown San José.
Under his leadership, the NAACP also filed a lawsuit against the city in support of a group of protesters who were victims of police violence. The city later settled for more than $3 million.
Those who knew him best said Moore was unafraid to lend his voice to discussions about particular policies or practices, even if it meant, at times, challenging the views of someone he had worked closely with or considered a friend.
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Susan Ellenberg said Moore was highly regarded because he was consistently well-read on the issues he advocated for and because of his respect for the humanity of others.
“He absolutely argued and got into it and was vociferous and pounded on the table. But it was always, always about issues,” Ellenberg said. “I never once heard Rev. Moore make an ad hominem attack or try to take away someone’s personal credibility.”
Ellenberg said Moore helped her better understand certain things that she initially had different views on, such as the need to make Juneteenth a paid county holiday, which supervisors approved in 2021.
Moore attended Silver Creek High School and Evergreen Valley College and later earned a theology degree from San Jose Christian College, later known as Jessup University.
As a young man, Moore became a line worker at UPS and was eventually promoted to management-level positions. He later worked as a community school specialist for the East Side Union High School District.
He served as interim pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in San José, following the retirement of Rev. Willie T. Gaines, and later founded the nearby Rehoboth Christian Center.