Jackson "Jack" Watts Moore, JD'73, passed away on July 18, 2026. A long-serving member of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, Jack was a friend and adviser to countless members of the university community and a lifelong supporter of the university and of Vanderbilt Law School.
Jack served on the university's Board of Trust from 2002 to 2017, including as vice chair from 2011 to 2017. He helped guide Vanderbilt through notable moments in its history, including the creation of Opportunity Vanderbilt, the expansion of the residential college system, and the restructuring of the university's relationship with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He also assisted with efforts to strengthen the university's governance model and chaired the search committee that led to the selection of Kent Syverud as dean of the Law School in 1997.
Known for his charismatic nature, Jack established himself as a thoughtful, engaging board member who could build consensus.
"Jack possessed that rare combination of extraordinary intellect and remarkable humanity," said Nicholas Zeppos, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chancellor Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law and of Political Science. "He could ask the toughest questions with grace, bring clarity to the most complicated issues, and still leave everyone around him smiling.
"Over more than five decades of my life at Vanderbilt, he was always there-not simply as a trustee, but as a trusted friend, mentor, confidant and counselor whose wisdom, judgment and generous heart I came to rely upon. Through moments of great opportunity and moments of real challenge, I always knew I could turn to Jack."
Mark Dalton, JD'75, first met Jack when the latter was a second-year law student and a Patrick Wilson scholar. "Jack was a leader among the scholars-smart, charming, self- assured and a man of good character. He was a great representative of the Law School and the greater Vanderbilt community."
Dalton joined the Board of Trust with Jack in 2002; after two terms, they served as officers of the board together for six years, with Dalton as chair. "Jack was a thought leader as vice chair of the Board of Trust who helped shape and refine many of the strategies that the chancellor brought forward for our consideration," Dalton said. "I regarded Jack as one of my most important partners on the board."
He recalls Jack, alongside sister-in-law and fellow trustee Becky Wilson, inspiring a change of venue for the board's Thursday night dinner in 2004.
"The dinner after the Thursday meetings were usually hosted at Belle Meade Country Club, with a black-tie dress code," Dalton explained. "Jack and Becky (with their spouses Betty and Spence, respectively) proposed that non-Nashvillian board members host the Thursday dinner. They hosted their first at BB King's Blues Club downtown, with a top-notch Elvis impersonator from Memphis and a dress code suited for the occasion, along with a stack of scarves that the impersonator employed through the meal. It was a huge hit for board members new and old.
"Jack had a spirit and sense of humor, as well as a love of music and a personality that was open, fun, smart and thoughtful."
After graduating from the University of Alabama, Jack enrolled at Vanderbilt Law School in the fall of 1970. After graduating in 1973, he practiced law for 17 years before moving into banking with Union Planters Bank. He ultimately served as CEO of Regions Financial.
Jack's deep commitment to service continued long after his retirement from Regions in 2007. In addition to his board work at Vanderbilt, he served on boards and committees at the University of Alabama, the University of Memphis, Presbyterian Day School, Christ Methodist Church, Youth Programs Inc., The Walk to Emmaus, Boy Scouts of America and other organizations.
Jack and his wife, Betty, were longtime supporters of Vanderbilt. They established scholarships for undergraduate students and law students, and they supported the Law School Building and Renovation fund, among other areas. He received the Law School's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2012.
"The breadth and depth of Jack's impact on Vanderbilt and the Law School is inspirational," said Chris Guthrie, dean of the Law School, University Distinguished Professor of Law and John Wade-Kent Syverud Professor of Law. "Jack and Betty's generosity has benefitted generations of students, and his service has left the institution in a stronger position. His kindness, wisdom and enthusiasm will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him."
Jack was an avid sports fan. He and Betty attended hundreds of University of Memphis basketball games and University of Alabama football games. Jack enjoyed coaching his children's youth teams and, in more recent years, watching his grandchildren participate in athletics. He loved golf and enjoyed playing with his friends, sons and, eventually, his grandsons.
Jack was a man of great faith and was a longtime member of Christ Methodist Church, where he and Betty taught youth Sunday School and later a young married class. Jack made great friends through his Sunday School classes and mentored many young men.
Jack is survived by his wife; sons Jackson Moore Jr. (Margie) of Nashville and Wilson Moore (Katie) of Memphis; daughter Shellye Moore Geshke (Kevin) of Nashville; and 10 grandchildren: Jake (Jackson III), Evie and Walt Moore, Wils, Brantley, Joseph and Liza Moore, and Graham, Luke and Carter Geshke.
Other survivors include his sister, Josephine Moore Hutchinson of Marietta, Georgia; his first cousin and "little brother" Richard Moore (Sally) of Clanton, Alabama; brothers-in-law Spence Wilson (Becky); Bob Wilson (Susan); Kem Wilson (Norma); and Bill West (Carole), all of Memphis.
A full obituary is available online.
