Longtime Thomas Nelson Publishers executive dies

A Lebanese immigrant who moved to the U.S. at the age of 19 with only $600 in savings and went on to lead a prominent evangelical publisher died June 1 at 88. As the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Sam Moore published internationally-recognized authors like Jerry Falwell, Zig Ziglar, Max Lucado, Charles Stanley, and Billy Graham.

Moore launched his business career in 1958 by establishing National Book Publishers in Nashville, Tennessee. Three years later he founded Royal Publishing through the help of partners like Jack Massey, cofounder of Hospital Corporation of America. 

In the late 1960s, New York-based Thomas Nelson and Sons—which originated in Scotland—approached Moore with an offer to acquire Royal. Nelson declined and made a counter-offer to acquire Nelson, dropping the “Sons” to gain more international brand recognition.

Moore then led the Nashville-based company through a period of acquisitions and the formation of multiple imprints while leaving a lasting impression on the Christian publishing world. One of his most ambitious moves was commissioning a major revision of the King James Version, with the New King James releasing in 1983.

Moore retired in 2005 after nearly 47 years as CEO.