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LARKSVILLE — Residents of the Wyoming Valley’s West Side reacted with shock at the death of 25-year-old Kristopher Moules on Monday, mourning the loss of a young man they variously had called a “friend,” “student” and “fellow athlete,” looking back on a life which was by all accounts exemplary.
Moules, a corrections officer at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, died Monday in what county officials described as a “freak accident” when he and inmate Timothy Gilliam, 27, crashed through an elevator door during a struggle and fell to their deaths.
Kamri Jacobs met Moules in sixth grade, but said she felt like she knew him her entire left.
When she heard on Monday night that the corrections officer had died following an altercation at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, she was shocked and saddened.
“He had just texted me ‘Happy Birthday,’ on July 4,” she said.
Jacobs who graduated with Moules from Wyoming Valley West High School in 2009, remembers Moules as a sincere and caring friend.
“If I was going through something, he would come over to where I bartend when he got off from work at 11 o’clock and just sit to make sure I was alright,” she said. “Even though he had already worked a full shift.”
On those nights, although Jacobs is a vegan, Moules would say, “start the fryers.”
“I’d cook fried chicken for him, all the while reminding myself of what a good friend he was,” she said, laughing.
Two years ago, when her father died, Moules did not let distance interfere with his support for her.
“All of a sudden, he was just there,” she said. “He came back from Ohio (where he was attending Youngstown State University) because he knew I needed him.”
Jacobs never remembers Moules voicing concerns or criticism about his job at the prison.
“He was a funny, awesome person, a wonderful athlete, everyone trusted him,” she said.
Irvin DeRemer, Wyoming Valley West superintendent of schools, said the class of 2009 remains close.
DeRemer said he has been fielding calls from members of the teaching and administrative staff as well as students voicing grief about Moules’ tragic death.
“Both Kris’ parents were teachers in the district,” said DeRemer. “His older brother Ken also graduated from our high school.”
He remembers both brothers as excellent students and remarkable baseball players.
In high school, Kristopher Moules was a two-time Wyoming Valley Conference All-Star and also was a two-time, all-conference pick in soccer. He also played baseball at Lackawanna College before joining Youngstown State as a junior in 2013.
Beyond Moules’ own achievements, DeRemer said the whole family reflects a spirit of community and service that goes above and beyond.
Before their retirement, Kris’ mom, Kitty, taught Family and Consumer Science at the middle school and his dad, Ken, taught physical education at various schools throughout the district.
“Kris’ mom led an effort to collect uniform clothing for students,” said DeRemer. “In the winter, she would provide coats for children who didn’t have them.”
“Together his parents touched thousands of students,” he said.
Because Kris and brother Ken both played baseball and soccer during their high school careers, many fellow athletes continued to remain friends with the family.
“Many of our staff know the family because of baseball,” he said. “They’ve been in touch with the family, willing to help in any way possible.”
Kris, he said, not only played baseball during his high school and college career, but went on to coach younger players.
Emily Sobocinski said she attended high school with Moules and his mother taught her in seventh grade.
Sobocinski, an owner of Chuck’s Main Street Diner, Luzerne, said the family often comes into the restaurant, as well as Moules’ co-workers.
“Several corrections officers who are regulars came in this week,” she said. “They were really shaken up.”
Eric Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Pub in Swoyersville, remembers Kris coming in “almost every Tuesday night.”
“He really knew baseball,” said Murphy. “We always talked about it.”
Murphy said several members of Moules family often come into the pub regularly.
“He was a super duper kid from a wonderful family,” he said. “His death is truly a tragedy.”
“I went to high school with Kris, and I know his whole family,” state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, said in a text message Wednesday. “Both of his parents taught me in school. This is a tragic loss to not only the Wyoming Valley West community, but also our community as a whole.
“Kris was a talented young man from a fantastic family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this time of grief. I want them to know that our whole community shares in their loss.”
Larksville police officer John Edwards, who said he knew the family, said he considers Moules a “brother.”
“He was part of the criminal justice system community,” he said. “This is a tragic loss.”
“Prison guards as well as many other positions in the criminal justice system, face the possibility of injury or death on a daily basis as they perform their duty,” said Bob Boyer, Wyoming borough mayor and a longtime police office. “I sincerely hope that more people would understand and appreciate the sacrifice and risk that these professionals undertake every day they go to work.
“The next time you see one of them, tell them thank you.”
