Claiborne Patrick Moody

Claiborne Patrick Moody, 77, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of his Father in heaven with his children by his side on Monday, Oct. 7th, 2024. Born November 10th, 1946, in his childhood home in Mineola, Texas, to Lucius and Lula Moody, he was excited to find his way back to his roots in the piney woods of East Texas, where he currently resided and dreamed about his ‘cabin in the woods’ in the days before his passing.

In 1964, he graduated from Mineola High School at only 17. He was extremely bright and had a unique passion for learning. In his free time, he sought after knowledge of any kind and read encyclopedias like a champ. Voted class President and ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ by his high school class and named ‘National Merit Scholar’, no doubt he was truly gifted, with strong values, a hard-work ethic, and destined for great things. Patrick knew and loved the Lord even at an early age. Private in his faith, he boldly preached his first sermon at his church home in high school. Patrick began at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth with a willing heart for ministry, where he continued exploring theology and excelling in both business and law. He then pursued a long fervent and proud career at the former Vought Aircraft as the Manager of MRP, Material Requirements Planning, where he was well-respected and admired by his peers until his retirement at age 65 in 2011. His colleagues proclaim him ‘One of the Elite’ as various team leads for Development and Implementation, as he was said to be instrumental in ‘changing the company’s way of doing business’.

He married the lovely Sandra Boteler in 1968, and together they raised 3 beautiful children who loved their daddy, Kristi, Lisa, and Clay, his namesake and very best friend. All who knew him understood that his children were his world. Proud father, coach, and mentor, he loved hard and sought to teach and motivate in all things; he was known for his random sticky notes with a meaningful quote or impactful word and believed everything builds character and ‘This too shall pass’. From planting seeds of faith and teaching his children about the Lord, announcing high school basketball games and coaching a national softball tournament, to pitching coach, BBQ foody and fantasy football enthusiast, he felt things big and chased after them with much passion. Patrick was multi-talented and did a lot of things well, like bowling five perfect games and even got a hole-in-one. He was an eloquent writer, loved to play golf and bridge and had an affinity for cooking, always prepared for an army. Later in life, Patrick married Madeline Juliet in 1999; they shared many memorable years together and cared deeply for each other, devoted to the very end.

He understood that showing emotion was not a weakness. The Lord heard his heartfelt prayers for Peace, Strength and “Thy Will Be Done” in those last days, and He so graciously answered with great solace in Psalm 23, followed by His undeniable presence singing old hymns. Patrick professed a steadfast faith and trust in the Lord until he took his last breath, with a surprising wink and an unexpected and ‘ready’ thumbs up and that peace that passes all understanding, for he knew that the battle had already been won. Patrick indeed ran a good race, generous and selfless. He bravely ‘Sprinted to the Finish” with an unmatched determination and grit and a heart full of love for all those he left behind. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21.

A devoted son, brother, student, husband, loving father, grandparent, cousin, uncle, special friend, and esteemed leader, he will be forever treasured and deeply missed by all who knew him and were blessed to have crossed his path. Patrick was preceded in death by both parents, Lucius Claiborne and Lula Vivrett Moody, and siblings, William Moody and Sarah Lou Miller. He is survived by his 3 beloved children, daughters, Kristi Maschal and husband, Tim, and Lisa Smith and husband, Travis, and son, Clay Moody and wife, Heather, along with their mother Sandy Roberts; step-children, Jennifer Perkins Furtick and Jefferson Perkins; dearly loved grandchildren, Robert, Andrew, and Thomas Maschal, Payton Smith, Ella Moody, and Jager, Madden, and Jaymson Torres, Justin and Cameron Conklin, and Cole and Kilee Perkins; former wife, Madeline Howlett Moody and family; close cousins, Jimmy Moody and wife, Patty, Beverly Moody Pierce and husband, Jimmy, Susan Allen Gordon and husband, George, Patricia Allen White, and Thomas Ned Moody and wife, Janie; special nieces and nephews; not to forget the rest of his extended family, cherished friend, Pete Figueiredo, respected colleagues, revered classmates, sweet Overture Highland friends, and countless others that were precious to him.

“An Instrument of positive change and contribution to this modern world”

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Foundation or Methodist Moody Brain and Spine Institute. Donations can be made in his memory online.

Visitation: Saturday November 2nd at 2:00 at Moore Funeral Home Bowen Rd. in Arlington, Texas.

Celebration of Life: Saturday November 2nd at 2:30 at Moore Funeral Home Bowen Rd. in Arlington, Texas.