Moorman, Joseph Cornelius
Black lives matter?
You bet!!
And the life of this man, Joe Moorman, sure did!
The tributes on Facebook are pouring in after he recently died at age 95. Remembrances from 40+ years ago.
We remember him like it was yesterday. As a junior high PE teacher to many hundreds in the 1970s, his genuine personality, comic sense of humor, and character lives on.
I have personally never known of a teacher so popular and beloved as he!!
I’m sure many of my contemporaries will agree.
We love you, Mr. Moorman!
Thank you, and may you Rest In Peace!”
- September 5, 2020 Facebook post (AP)
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One could only smile when mimicking Mr. Moorman singing “I’m going to Kansas City. Kansas City here I come!” We didn’t necessarily know where Kansas City was, but we wanted to go!
Some of his tall tales included:
“I’m so fast I can flick the light switch and be in bed before the light goes out.”
“That man could jump over a Greyhound bus!”
“I can throw a biscuit over the school and I’m so fast I can run around the school and catch it in my mouth before it hits the ground.”
Then there was what Joe Moorman was perhaps most famous for: “The Human Handcuff.” While talking to Mr. Moorman at any point during the school day, he might take his large, strong hand and grab your wrist. He would encircle it by joining the tips of his thumb and forefinger together, imposing a strong, inescapable grip. Then he would proudly announce,
“I got you in The Human Handcuff! And you can’t get out!!“
Legend has it there was one skinny junior high school kid that actually did get out of The Human Handcuff. Unbelievable!
Man, we thought Mr. Moorman was the coolest dude ever. And he was! Our otherwise up-and-down, drama-laden middle school days were funnier and more enjoyable when being around Joe and trying to act and sound like him. We just absolutely loved the guy!
It should be noted that Joe Moorman was a forest ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway over the weekends and during the summer as another line of work besides being a PE teacher and coach.
Thank you, Mr. Moorman, for just being you and making us laugh.
You were the best!
