Jerry Lee "Moe" Mosley (August 3, 1933-August 4, 2023)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of 2018 Hall of Famer Moe Mosley, 90 of Golden, Colorado. Moe passed away on August 4, 2023, after being surrounded by family. Moe co-founded the Over the Hill Gang Ski Club in 1976, along with two friends, developing it into one of this nation’s most successful senior skiing organizations. Based in Copper Mountain, the Over the Hill Gang is a year-round activity program created for skiers over the age of 50. The club offers members the opportunity to share in lasting friendships and camaraderie while participating in skiing, summer sports activities, and social events. Moe showed us that age is no barrier to greatness. For generations to come, many will be able to enjoy snow sports longer - thanks to Moe’s contributions.
August 14, 2023 -- Vail, Colo. - Jerry Lee "Moe" Mosley, was born in Canton, Ohio on August 3, 1933, to Donna and Raymond Jerry Mosley. Growing up on the tough streets of a steel mill town, Moe learned to fight. As a youngster, he turned to boxing like his own Dad, winning the Ohio State Golden Gloves title in 1951 and 1952. In his early years, his temper sometimes got him into trouble. So, he was "encouraged" to join the military; he served from 1953-55 in the Army.
After serving, he learned to use his athleticism on the gridiron, playing football at the University of Northern Colorado (known as Colorado State College at that time) until his graduation in 1959. While at UNC/CSC he met Deanna. After 30 years of marriage and raising their family, he and Deanna divorced. A few years later, he then married Lou and loved her to the end.
His fighting spirit didn't stop in the ring or on the field; he just pivoted to more productive fights. One might say he followed the advice of the late US Representative John Lewis, who said, "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble." Anyone who knew Moe would say he always got in good, necessary trouble and would fight for the underdog, the underserved, or anyone who he felt needed someone else to look out for their best interests. He hated when someone was being taken advantage of.
From 1958-2000, his career found him causing good trouble by working for a variety of Insurance, Employee Benefits, and Heavy Highway Construction firms. He challenged administrators to take care of their employees as if they were family. Moe's pugnacious nature was seen as an asset, as he was invited to serve and did serve for many years with various organizations such as the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, the US Olympic Committee, Colorado Contractors Association, and the state of Colorado's Workers' Compensation Cost Containment Board (CWCCCB). In these roles, he helped give voice to the concerns of the "little guy": The driver, the amateur athlete, the laborer. He continued to serve many of these groups until 2022. Moe was particularly proud of the 24 years he served on the CWCCCB. He would always remark that he worked under four different governors and never missed a meeting. For his dedication to the CWCCCB, he received recognition from Governor Hickenlooper in 2016.
In the year 2000, at an age when most people would retire, Moe kept up the good fight by creating his own consulting firm, Moementum. His firm advised companies and organizations on matters of: Health/Welfare, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Guidelines, Human Relations Programs, Compliance, General Insurance Matters, and Risk Management Services.
His love of giving back saw him offer his knowledge pro bono to enhance multiple organizations such as Brule Records LLC-a Native American Performance Company, the Canton Ohio Police Boys & Girls Club, among many others.
For fun, Moe loved to ski. He couldn't just ski for fun, though; he had to help others come to love the sport as much as he did. So, in 1976, he became a certified ski instructor for Copper Mountain. A few years later, he and two other instructors saw the need for a skiing program for seniors, where they could find fun, develop camaraderie, and improve skiing skills. They called this group the "Over The Hill Gang (OHG)." At its height, the OHG at Copper boasted over 1200 members with 300+ on the waiting list. The idea of an OHG was unique and came about at the right time; the idea of such a group spread beyond Copper Mountain. As a result, Moe (as the last surviving founder) was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in 2018 (scroll down to watch his Hall of Fame tribute video). In 2018 he co-authored the book Peak Performers which gives the history and adventures of the OHG senior ski program.
Moe Mosley is survived by his wife, his children and their spouses, and his four grandchildren.
Thank you to Dignity Hospice and Applewood Our House Memory Care for making Moe's final weeks dignified and positive.
No services will be held at this time.
In remembrance of Moe, help someone in need.
Instead of flowers, you may send donations to any of these organizations that Moe supported:
Canton Boys and Girls Club at J Babe Stearn Community Center: 2628 13th St SW, Canton, OH 44710; 330-455-3921; https://m.facebook.com/BabeStearnCenter
Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame: 231 S. Frontage Road East, Vail, CO 81657; 970.476.1876 museum@snowsportsmuseum.org; https://www.snowsportsmuseum.org/ways-to-support
American Indian College Fund: 8333 Greenwood Blvd.; Denver, CO 80221; 303-426-8900; 800-776-FUND; https://collegefund.org/students/scholarships/
To learn more about Moe’s inspiring life, watch his tribute video below.
About the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame:
Founded in 1975 and located in Vail, Colorado, our mission is to celebrate Colorado snow sports by telling stories that educate and inspire others to seek adventure. The priceless artifacts we collect and display tell the story of the birth, rise and explosion of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado. The Museum features displays including Climb to Glory about the 10th Mountain Division, Vail’s DNA, The Colorado Snowboard Archive, and The Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame, among many others. Learn more and consider supporting the Museum by becoming a member: www.snowsportsmuseum.org.
Media Contact:
Jen Mason | Dana Mathios
jen@snowsportsmuseum.org | dana@snowsportsmuseum.org
(970) 476-1876