Obituary: Wayne Eugene Moody

Wayne Eugene Moody was born March 13, 1919, in Chanute, Kan., to William Henry Moody and Hazel Jordan Moody. He died Feb. 8, 2014, at Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker, Colo.
Mr. Moody had fed the cattle in the morning and was admitted to Pioneers Medical Center in the afternoon.
His family and friends met graveside at Highland Cemetery on Feb. 12, 2014, to honor an extraordinary man. He touched more lives than anyone can imagine, and his passing left a giant hole in our hearts and lives. The Rev. Enrique Salazar of Holy Family Catholic Church presided; Medic Adams was speaker; and Heather Burke graciously provided two vocal solos.
Wayne was “as tough as they come” with a kind and gentle soul, a generous heart, a huge streak of orneriness, a great smile and a twinkle in his eyes. He believed absolutely in hard work, honesty, helping family and friends — and every child.
He had a longer run of older years than most and enjoyed life to the best of his ability. He started working construction with a team of horses and a scraper and ended with a D-9 Caterpillar and a tractor with a refrigerator.
When his wife, Julia, passed away, he managed his early grief by taking seven grandkids to the mountain, where he was working, which also required taking a Jeep for the kids to drive, fishing poles, tents and lots of food. He set the rules for their conduct and went to work.
At night he came back to camp, cooked supper, sorted them out and repeated the process the next day — for a week. This is not something most men would consider doing alone — at age 62.
In later years, he missed not being able to dance, work with his hands and ride a horse. He appreciated those who did him any service. He always enjoyed being around kids and was so grateful to meet and know his great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
He loved to flirt with the ladies where hugs and kisses were given and received freely; at the grocery store, haircut stops, medical clinic — wherever there were women he knew.
A close family member noted:
“The one who looked after you in the beginning, needed you most at the end. You were there with your tender hearts and steadfast loyalty, doing the right thing exactly the way he would have hoped — exactly the way he taught you to do. What a beautiful tribute to your Dad.”
Wayne was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife Julia; a sister, Vada Ellis; a son, Glen Stipp; a grandson, William Georgiou; and a great-grandson, Tyke Georgiou.
Wayne is survived by seven children: Hazel Georgiou-Gonzales; Floyd Moody; Judy (David) Eskelson; Douglas (Shannon) Moody; Sandra (David) Wambolt;, Deana Cheatham; and Mary Ellen Cheatham. He has 22 grandchildren and 32-plus great- and great-great-grandchildren.
His children bestowed upon him fondly the nickname, “The Best Old Man.”