Former governor Arch Moore dead at 91

Former three-term West Virginia governor Arch Moore, whose political career was tarnished by serving three years in prison on federal corruption charges, died Wednesday night at age 91.

A statement released by his family said Moore’s children, including U.S Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, were by his side.

“It is with the utmost sorrow that we announce the passing of our father,  Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.,” the family statement said. “To call our father a source of inspiration would be an understatement.  He was—and will continue to be—the force that drives us and our families each and every day.”

Long in declining health, Moore had been residing at an assisted living facility in Charleston since February.

“Dad loved the state of West Virginia as if it were a member of our family,” the statement said. “Serving West Virginia was at the core of his very being and he cherished every moment of it.”

Moore, a Republican, was one of the most dynamic, but also controversial political leaders in modern politics in West Virginia. He overcame the state’s heavy Democratic Party registration to be elected governor in 1968, 1972 and 1984.