Joe Moran Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1915 - d. 1999

Joseph W. Moran (1915-1999), called Joe, was born at Biloxi, Mississippi on December 6, 1915. He expired on March 23, 1999. In 1959, Joe Moran while assisting his son turn a boat over, suffered severe injuries to his aorta and the displacement of his heart from its sac. While hospitalized, his physician requested that he sketch boats. Impressed with Joe's ability, the doctor enrolled him a home study art course. By 1962, Mr. Moran realized that he would never have the physicality to build boats again. He began to study art with William Steene.(The Mississippi Press, January 9, 1994, p. 12-C). In October 1969, a Joe Moran (1915-1999) oil painting of Biloxi shrimp trawlers was presented to Spiro T. Agnew, vice president of the United States, for his assistance following Hurricane Camille of August 1969.(The Ocean Springs Record, October 23, 1969, p. 10). The last picture is from The Ocean Springs Record. Joe Moran, like his father, also built boats and in his later life became a nationally acclaimed painter. Several of Mr. Moran?s works are in the Smithsonian Institute and two American presidents have acquired his art.(The Sun Herald, December 1, 1989, p. B-2 and The Sun Herald, March 24, 1999).