Gordon Ellsworth Moody, 1950-52
From Bert Arnold, '50-53':
 One
of our daughters who lives outside the city of Petoskey, about 50
miles away from our home, visited us a couple of weekends ago and
brought along a copy of their local newspaper, thinking I might be
interested in looking through it. Imagine my surprise when I came
across the enclosed obits noting the death of Gordon Moody.
I had no idea that he had once been living in this part of Michigan,
because when I knew him, he called Grand Rapids, Michigan his home,
250-300 miles South of where I live.
Gordon and I were both in FOX Division and had lower bunks across
from each other in the Rochester. We got to know each other quite
well while he was in the Division, from 1950-1952.
One
of my favorite recollections of him came about one evening when I
was on my sack, reading. I looked across at Gordon and he was on
his back, hands behind his head, staring at the bottom of the bunk
above him. "Moody", says I, "what are you thinking about?".
"Nothing much", says he, "I'm just thinking of how I'm going to make
some money when I get back home." "What have you got up your
sleeve", says I. "When I get home, I'm going to live-trap all the
cats I can, and I'm going-to live-trap all the rats I can. I'll
sell the cats to the pet shops, and sell the rats to the labs. If a
rat dies, I'll feed it to the cats, and if a cat dies, I'll feed it
to the rats. No overhead, nothing but clear profit".
I
don't think I saw anything in his obituary that disclosed the line
of work he was in, but remembering his wild sense of humor, I
suspect strongly, he was probably pulling my leg as usual.
Maybe
you can let his old FOX Division buddies know of his passing.
Thanks and best regards,
Bert
Arnold, '50-53'.
Obituary
Gordon Ellsworth Moody 83, former resident of Petoskey, Boyne City and
Sault Ste. Marie, passed quietly in his sleep at home on Saturday July
17, 2004.
He
had lived in Bokeelia (Pine Island), Fla. for the last five years.
Gordon was the eldest son of Ora K. and Ruth Ruby Moody, and was born
in Benzonia, Mich. Enlisting into the Navy in June 1942, he served
aboard the newly commissioned USS Macomb DD 458 as Fire Control and
remained aboard ship following the war as DSM-23, clearing the waters
in the Arctic Circle of deadly mines. As a reservist, he was again
assigned to Fire Control aboard the USS Rochester from 1950-1952.
Surviving are his wife, Jo, of 36 years (formerly NMH pre-admitting);
a sister, Ruby, of Commerce Township; son, Michael G. (Margaret), of
Farmers Branch, Texas; daughters, Patricia (Don) Kelly and Cheri
(Gene) Mckechnie of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.; stepchildren, Cheryl
Johnson of Brighton, William Crocker, Vienna, VA., and Russell
(Melissa) Crocker of Cape Coral. Gordon also had many grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. Gordon's brothers, William, and twins,
Ronald and Donald, preceded him in death.
Gordon
will be a great loss to the Seventh-day Adventist Church he so
faithfully served as Head Elder and Sabbath School Teacher; wonderful
neighbors both North and South; and the many friends who "spunked" his
fantastic sense of humor. Having led a good life, he rests peacefully
knowing one day he will recognize the words, "Well Done", thou good
and faithful servant."
Gordon
was cremated and his ashes will be scattered in Pine Island Sound by
Captain Russell Crocket, his stepson."
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