ZW.TOMMOYER.1-11..7/23/99

Tom Moyer shown on the top of the 1000 Broadway Building in 1999 as the Fox Tower is under construction behind him.

(Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Oregonian)

Tom Moyer, the developer whose downtown towers reshaped Portland's skyline several times over, died in his sleep Friday. He was 95.

A boxer who made his fortune in the combative movie theater business, Moyer then took his hard-charging spirit into the real estate development business. His Fox Tower, it was said, was financed by "the Bank of Tom Moyer" when no actual bank would back it.

"To the extent I would ever try to caution Tom about risk in our business, it was like giving Joe Dimaggio batting tips," said Bob Scanlan, a Portland real estate investor. "The feeling in town was that Tom was crazy, but ... if Tommy Moyer wanted to do it, he'd find a way to not only get it done, but get it leased."

Moyer tried that approach most recently with the highly visible Park Avenue West Tower in downtown Portland before stopping work in 2009. But work started again on that project late last year, now with a construction loan and a design reconfigured to include high-end apartments.

Tom Moyer was born March 2, 1919, in Sellwood to Harry and Rose Moyer. His father worked as a movie projectionist, and in 1932 his parents leased the theater where he worked, starting the family theater business.

Moyer came from a family of boxers, and he eventually dropped out of high school to pursue a boxing career.

That career — 145 wins in 156 amateur fights, and undefeated in 22 professional ones — nearly took him to the Olympics. He was narrowly beaten by Sugar Ray Robinson, one of the sport's best, in the bout to decide who took a spot on the 1940 U.S. boxing team. When Robinson went pro instead, Moyer took the spot.

The Games ended up being cancelled by the outbreak of World War II, but Moyer had already secured his spot in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1999. Instead of going to the Olympics, Moyer joined the Army and served four years in the infantry. He was awarded a Bronze Star after helping convert a factory to make bread for the troops.

He met his wife, Marilyn Moyer, through his wartime roommate, her cousin. They married on March 2, 1946.

Moyer took over management of the family business after his father died in 1950. That led to tension between Moyer and his siblings, and eventually to a court battle. Moyer won a settlement that let him keep two new multi-screen theaters, but the case for a time caused a deep rift in the family.

Moyer eventually developed that start into a theater chain with more than 350 screens before selling the business in 1989 for $192 million.

But while he sold the theater business, he kept the real estate, including prime downtown sites. In 1991 his TMT Development Co. opened the 1000 Broadway building on the site of the former Broadway Theatre. The Fox Tower followed in 2000, and then work began on Park Avenue West in 2008. It's now scheduled to be finished in 2016.

"I don't know of too many other developers who have changed the face of Portland like Tom has," said Bob Thompson, a principal at TVA Architects who got his start designing theaters for Moyer. "Tom was guy who cared very deeply about the city of Portland."

Moyer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010, several of his heirs claimed during a legal dispute over how his wealth was managed.

But he remained involved in the Park Avenue West Tower project until 2012, said Thompson, its principal designer. As of two months ago, "he was very excited about the where the project was headed."

Those who had done business with Moyer remember his straightforward style.

"A handshake meant everything," Thompson said. "He honored every agreement I ever had with him."

He was also a philanthropist who was involved in the creation of Pioneer Courthouse Square and donated land for the creation of downtown's Director Park, under which is part of the parking garage for Fox Tower. He helped raise funds for various schools and was a founder for New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit for homeless youth.

Moyer is survived by his brother, Larry Moyer; four children, Tom Jr., Colleen, Kimberly and Timothy; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. His wife, Marilyn Moyer, died in 1988.

His family said it would hold a public memorial ceremony.

-- Elliot Njus