DeKalb coach who died saving girl to be laid to rest in Illinois
Derrick Moore. Photo courtesy of family.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A funeral date has been set for a longtime DeKalb County educator who died after rescuing a young girl from a rip current in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Derrick Lavelle Moore, 47, died Aug. 8 after being swept out to sea following the rescue.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Main Street Church in Decatur, Illinois.
Moore will later be interred at Graceland Cemetery in Illinois.
Moore died after saving girl from rip current
What we know:
Moore, who worked at Rockbridge Elementary School, was at the beach in Myrtle Beach when he saw a young girl struggling in the water.
PREVIOUS STORY: Georgia man drowns saving young girl off South Carolina coast
According to Myrtle Beach police, Moore entered the ocean and was able to bring the girl close enough to shore to reach safety. He then collapsed and was swept back into the ocean by a rip current.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department, Myrtle Beach Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard launched a search. Moore's body was recovered the following morning after washing ashore about a mile from where he disappeared.
Remembered as 'Coach Moore'
What they're saying:
Moore worked for the DeKalb County School District for more than 20 years, including at Rockbridge and Jolly elementary schools. Students and parents knew him affectionately as "Coach Moore."
District officials said Moore made a meaningful impact on students, colleagues and parents throughout the school community.
His parents previously told FOX 5 Atlanta that his decision to enter the water to help a stranger reflected the person they knew.
"If it didn't happen, it wouldn't have been him. That's just who he is," his mother, Suzette Moore, said.
Moore was the father of three sons and a daughter. He would have turned 48 in October.
What you can do:
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family.
The Source: A previous version of this story included local funeral service details provided by an online obituary from the Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home. Representatives with the funeral home have since informed FOX 5 Atlanta that local service and visitation locations have not yet been determined.An online obituary published by Walker Funeral Service in Decatur, Illinois, confirms arrangements in Moore's home state. This story has been updated to reflect that new information.