Legendary Texas plumbing wholesaler Lavoy Moore died December 18 at age 78 due to complications caused by lung cancer and pneumonia. He started his industry career in 1943 with Hunt Supply Co., the same east Texas plumbing distributor where his father worked. He was promoted to manager of the Conroe branch within a year, and stayed there until founding Moore Supply Co. in Conroe in 1953.
Starting with one employee and $4,000 in the bank, Moore grew the business to 32 facilities before selling the company and retiring in 1996. Moore Supply Co. was named Supply House Times' "Wholesaler of the Year" in 1983. Moore was a past president of the Wholesale Distributors Association and American Supply Association, and fulfilled numerous community and charitable leadership roles.