Ed was the youngest of seven, born to Frances and Perry Moody in Paola, Kansas. A middling student who attended Troost Elementary and Paseo High School, Ed discovered early on that grit, determination and a fierce work ethic would be his keys to success.
After serving honorably abroad as a corporal for the Army during the Korean War, Ed returned to the University of Kansas to earn his business degree. More importantly, in 1956, he led "The Moodies" to a historic first-ever "Hill Championship" by an independent team in the KU intramural football league.
Ed married Donna Hoglund in 1958 and quickly settled into their home of almost 60 years in Brookside where they raised daughter Jenny Ling (Scott) and son Ed Moody (Mike Ford).
After a successful early career moving up the corporate ladder of Fidelity & Deposit, Ed made the decision in the late 1960's that a corporate career wasn't his destiny. In the ultimate entrepreneurial leap, Gomer was born.
He, along with his business partners, built a multi-state chain of service stations before transforming an old laundromat at 99th and Holmes into the first of many Gomer's liquor stores in 1972. He could be found there catering to his vast and diverse customer base every single day of the year (yes, Christmas Day included) for the next several decades.
He and Donna were lucky enough to have their grandkids, Kelsey and Parker Ling, nearby and were integrally and intensely involved in their upbringing and education – one of their most proud accomplishments.
Noteworthy as his business accomplishments were, Ed was always stretching his horizons. Twice he ran for public office – once for KC Mayor and once for US Congress. Perhaps in one of his most challenging and poignant roles, he took it upon himself to provide 24/7 hands-on care for his mother-in-law and wife, allowing them to stay in their home in their declining years.
After retirement, Ed found joy with his dogs, exploring his creative side through drawing, working jigsaw puzzles, and hosting his friends on his front porch for a multitude of happy hours. These porchfests would often feature a celebrity politician, author or special musical talent to inform and entertain. Central to his social life in his later years was his diverse group of coffee friends who would meet religiously every week at Aixois.
Ed is survived by his children, grandchildren, sister Rosemary Valentine, brother Philip Moody, sister-in-law Kati Moody, brothers-in-law Bart (Marilyn) Hoglund & Forrest (Sally) Hoglund and countless nieces and nephews.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding care provided by both the Kingswood Assisted Living staff and the KC Visiting Nurse Association staff.
Family and friends were everything to this tough-as-nails legend who had a huge heart and an abiding soft spot for the underdog.
If you wish to remember Ed through charitable giving, please consider the following organizations:
Great Plains SPCA – https://greatplainsspca.salsalabs.org/memorials/index.html
Lung Cancer Research Foundation – https://www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/get-involved/honor-a-memory/?form=giveinmemory You can click on the links below under Donations.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.8.18