Thomas B. Moorhead, 86, was born December 28, 1925, and passed away in Louisville, Ky., where he had been living in recent years. The son of Milton Merritt Moorhead and Dorthy Simon Moorhead and brother of Milton Moorhead Jr., all deceased, was a Charleston native. He attended Charleston High School, Greenbrier Military School, Lewisburg, and West Virginia University. He enlisted with the Army at 18, attended officer training school and served in the Philippines during World War II.
His business career spanned many decades in Charleston; most notable was the Minit Man Automatic Car Wash. Originally located on Lee Street, the Minit Man moved to Virginia Street in 1959 and remained there under his ownership until its sale in the late '90s. Mr. Moorhead had pioneered this industry since 1950. He served as president of the Automatic Carwash Association and was inducted into the Carwash Hall of Fame.
Other businesses included: Safety Sign, Budget Rent-a-Car, Peter Pan Cleaners, Econ-O-Rent TV, West Virginia Communications, Neighbormart Convenience Stores, the Pansy Brown Restaurant and Gihon Village Shopping Center in Parkersburg.
Tom was as funloving as he was hardworking. He acted in many productions with the Kanawha Players and the Charleston Light Opera Guild. He supported, with his wife, Janie, the Sunrise Museum. He volunteered for years with Meals On Wheels and loved every minute of it. He took great pride and pleasure in his membership of Phi Kappa Psi fraterinity and his 50-year membership in the Rotary Club of Charleston.
Tom Moorhead invested all of his talents and imagination in the city he was so proud to call home. He spent all of his love on family and friendships. A life well lived.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jane Brown Moorhead; and his son, David Merritt Moorhead. He is survived by his daughters, Mollie M. (Robert F.) Gates of Charleston and Ann B. Moorhead of Louisville, Ky. It was his personal request that there be no memorial service.
*DOD not provided in news release.
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