Joseph Charles Moss

Joe could often be seen on his morning walks, where he would stop and salute the flag. He enjoyed chatting with everyone along the way. He frequently sat on the porch watching the birds and listening to audio books. He also loved a glass of wine or his favorite margarita.

Football was Joe’s life. He played basketball and football in high school but his career solidified when he played football at the University of Maryland. The team won the 1952 Sugar Bowl against the number 1 team, Tennessee. Joe was later drafted to the NFL by the LA Rams but traded to the Washington Redskins in 1952, where he played for a year. He then served out his ROTC commitment in the Air Force, where he was a player/coach. He played one season for the Ottawa Rough Riders in the CFL.

His coaching career began at his alma mater, University of Maryland, followed by coaching at Texas Tech, West Texas State and then 8 years at the Air Force Academy. He left Colorado for the NFL where he spent 4 years as Defensive Coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles. Joe then moved to Canada to continue his career with the Canadian Football League, which included the Saskatchewan Rough Riders, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Rough Riders. In 1983, Joe was the defensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts and helped coach the team to victory in the 71st Grey Cup. Along the way, he was also Head Coach for the University of Ottawa Gee Gees that went undefeated, and coached two seasons of Arena Football for the Red Dogs and Toronto Phantoms.

He continued his Air Force career in the Reserves, serving his last few years at the Pentagon, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Nancee Kemper, and his son, Joseph Moss II. He has 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 9 at 11 AM at the Church of the Palms in Okatie, SC.

A visitation will be held at Scarpelli Funeral Home in Cumberland, MD on Saturday February 18, at 11:30 AM followed by a graveside service.

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