Dan Moody Obituary

Dan Moody, a lifelong Midlander, died on August 3rd at his home in Midland, Texas. He was 72, and further proof that "Midlanders are tough to kill", was the longest living Moody male in his family in the past 200 years. The cause was complications due to heart failure. He was born Dan Taylor Moody on May 3rd, 1950, in Wiesbaden, Germany, to parents Betty Jo Arrell and Major Benjamin Frances Moody, Jr., who at the time was stationed at US Army Garrison Wiesbaden with the US Air Force. After the untimely death of Dan's father Ben, the family moved to West Texas, first to Abilene then finally to their home Midland. Dan was raised by his mother and stepfather, the late Jack Eugene Walcher, in Midland, where he spent the majority of his life. Dan graduated from Midland High School in 1968, playing baseball and basketball. Dan was a lifelong athlete, playing golf and coaching basketball and baseball for his three sons and countless teammate friends of theirs over the years. He never coached soccer as he knew nothing of that sport, although ironically, his youngest son Morgan was a collegiate soccer player. Earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Masters of Business Administration at the University of Texas, Dan was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the Silver Spurs. His days at the University of Texas were some of his fondest memories and where he met his wife of 48 years, Melinda Nelson Moody of Dallas, Texas. Dan began his career at the industrial company, Elcor Corporation, before moving back to Midland, to run his family's fleet fuel distribution business, Eddins-Walcher Co, where he was President. While at Eddins-Walcher Dan engineered one of the first "pay at the pump" mechanisms via a punch card at their stations in Texas and New Mexico, helping countless oilfield service companies, the highway patrol and others during the time when you had to find the open filling station in order to refuel. Dan was preceded in death by his mother Betty, father Ben and stepfather Jack. He is survived by his wife Melinda, son Walker and his wife Shanell of Houston, son Taylor and his wife Ashley of Dallas and son Morgan. Dan is also survived by his stepsisters, Marjorie Callahan of Denver and Pricilla Oebel of Robstown. Dan has six grandchildren, Isaac, Ellie and Olivia Moody in Houston, and Landon, Elena and Warner Moody in Dallas. The "Dan Moody had an awesome life" service will be held and announced by the family at a later date.