Former Madison City Manager Tom Moffses, who passed away on Monday, Feb. 5, was a long-time member of the Madison Lions Club. He was also a “lion” in many other ways. When it came to the City of Madison, he could roar and would staunchly defend her with a “lion-like” loyalty.
According to Madison City Commissioner Jim Catron, who served with Moffses for many years, both with the city and in the Madison Lions Club, Moffses was “intensely dedicated to the businesses and the people of Madison.” “He [Moffses] was always looking at what was right. He could be blunt, but he believed in this community,” said Catron. Moffses served as City Manager for the City of Madison from 1975 until 1986 when he left to take a position with the newly opened Relief Printing (now Corporate Graphics). In 1996, Moffses would return to serve Madison again as City Manager for another 10 years. “He was a great friend. During the past 46 years I have lived in Madison, [Moffses] was the best City Manager we ever had. [He] was blunt and there were people who had their toes stepped on, but at the end of the day, no City Manager said or did more to help improve Madison. [Moffses] was an icon of Madison. [He] loved his family and he loved this city and county,” said County Commissioner Alston Kelley.
In addition to serving as City Manager, Moffses was a member of the Madison Lions Club for over 45 years. Throughout his membership in the Lions Club, Moffses served as president, vice-president and was a past district governor. Moffses was also active with his church, St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Moffses also served as an active member of the Knights of Columbus. “[He] had the kindest heart I've ever seen,” said Juan Botino, former Madison EMS Director. “Even when his health was going down, he kept on serving others.”
In his latter years, Moffses' health faded, due to his battle with cancer. “[Moffses] didn't worry about the legacy he would leave; his life was his legacy,” said Catron. Madison is better for having been served by such a “lion.”
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Tucker Moffses; three children: Thomas Phillip (Tammy) Moffses, Jr., Timothy Preston Moffses, and Todd Prescott (Jaime) Moffses; siblings: Beth Ann Padgett, Barbara June Gift and Shirley A. Derr; and five grandchildren: Tyler Phillip, Catherine Maria, Taylor James, Tucker James and Juliana Lynn.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m., at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, with Father Dominic Tran officiating. Interment services followed immediately afterwards in Ebenezer Cemetery. The family received friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Burns Funeral Home of Madison. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church Villa Maria Social Hall fund. St. Vincent DePaul is located at 186 NW Sumter St., in Madison. All arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Madison.