Bud Moore

James “Bud” Moore Jr. was born January 5, 1921 and passed from the dahlia world on January 18, 2011. He was a Midwest Dahlia Conference (MDC) and American Dahlia Society (ADS) icon for decades. Bud was a member of the Southtown Dahlia Club. He was awarded the American Dahlia Society Gold Medal in 1990 and also received the Illuminated Screoll Award from the National Dahlia Society of England.

His dahlia “start” was a Novice Sweepstakes win at the 1949 MDC Show at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. For sixty three years Bud grew great dahlias and originated many dahlias including Miss Midwest, Miss Ford City, Miss Christy, and Nancy M. His fondness for exhibiting the “big” ones was well established throughout the country, especially here in the Midwest. Bud was a mentor to Midwest hybridizer, Steve Meggos who honored Bud with the naming of a dahlia, “Mr. Moore”.

Bud was elected as the ADS President in the mid-1980s. Along with others, he was instrumental in getting the ADS Meetings/ Shows (previously held in New York City) moved throughout the country, thus making the ADS a truly national organization. It is reported that when asked what he considered his proudest accomplishment he answered “being President of the ADS.”

The true legacy of a remarkable man however, is when you hear, over and over again from people who knew him, that he inspired them to be the best they could possibly be. People wanted to be like Bud. He was fiercely loyal to those who exhibited the same drive as he and these folks consider him as family to this day. Bud shared his knowledge with those he trusted, and was immensely pleased when they also had success in dahlia competitions, and in life.

The Midwest Dahlia Conference J C Moore Award was established to be presented by each society to acknowledge a member for dedication to their local society. Going forward the award will be presented annually at the Midwest Dahlia Show banquet, at the discretion of the hosting society. This will start in 2022 with the Elkhart Dahlia Society hosted show in Shipshewana, IN.

This award is an honor for the recipient and an honor to the legacy of Bud Moore himself! Thanks Bud.