clarence david moore , 66 , was convicted of larceny of more than $ 200 in north carolina in 1967 and was sentenced to up to seven years in prison .
while working with a road crew in the asheville area , he escaped and was recaptured in 1971 .
he escaped again the following year and was on the lam until he was apprehended in texas in 1975 .
his third escape from a henderson county prison was august 6 , 1976 .
moore 's neighbors knew him by an alias and described his as ' a good neighbor , ' and also ` very compassioante '
the sheriff said he thought moore 's poor health factored into his decision to turn himself in .
as moore arrived at the jail , he thanked the sheriff for his kindness .