Bill Text: TX SR44 | 2023 | 88th Legislature 4th Special Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of Robert Lee Moody Sr.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-11-30 - Reported enrolled [SR44 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SR44-Enrolled.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 44
In Memory
of
Robert Lee Moody Sr.
WHEREAS, The city of Galveston lost a titan of business and
philanthropy with the death of Robert Lee Moody Sr. on
November 7, 2023, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Born on Galveston Island on July 28, 1935, Bobby
Moody was the son of Shearn Moody Sr. and Frances Moody Newman;
his father died the following year, and he and his brother,
Shearn, were educated at boarding school; Bobby Moody graduated
as the top cadet at Valley Forge Military Academy and served his
country in the U.S. Army; mentored by his grandfather, W. L.
Moody, the founder of American National Insurance Company, he
possessed similar business acumen and established National
Western Life Insurance Company in 1956; he eventually rose to
become chair and president/CEO of ANICO and built it into one of
the country's premier insurance firms; in addition, he created an
affiliated company that developed the South Shore Harbour
subdivision, hotel, and conference center in League City; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moody also held other key roles in the family
business empire, including chair of Moody National Bank; while
earning esteem as one of the city's most prominent citizens, he
was known for treating everyone around him with respect and
empathy; he encouraged the professional development of his
employees, and many stayed on for decades; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his hometown, Mr. Moody guided the
charitable Moody Foundation and found numerous ways to make a
positive impact; he established the Moody Neurorehabilitation
Institute to help brain trauma patients, and in 1992, he
spearheaded construction of Moody Gardens; one of the
Southwest's premier educational and leisure facilities, Moody
Gardens draws some two million visitors annually, spurring the
local economy while providing horticultural therapy, education,
and employment for individuals with disabilities; he further
benefited the disability community by creating the Moody
Endowment; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moody maintained a healthy balance between
his myriad ventures and his home life; he and his wife of 53
years, Ann McLeod Moody, raised a blended family of eight
children, and they broadened their horizons with extensive
travel; on Saturday mornings, he was coach, pitcher, and umpire
for baseball games with all the neighborhood children; he was
preceded in death by an infant son and by his wife; and
WHEREAS, An ardent champion of Galveston, Bobby Moody
worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for its citizens,
through both his professional and philanthropic endeavors, and
his contributions will continue to resonate in the years to come;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life
of Robert Lee Moody Sr. and extend sincere condolences to the
members of his family: to his children, Robert L. Moody Jr. and
his wife, Ingrid, Russell S. Moody, Ross R. Moody, Frances Anne
"Francie" Moody-Dahlberg and her husband, Kevin, Edwin Vince
"Vic" Matthews and his wife, Cindi, Lea McLeod Matthews and her
wife, Jennifer, Allan Watkins Matthews and his wife, Lori, and
Dorothea "Dotsy" Matthews Balentine and her husband, David; to
his grandchildren, Elizabeth Lee "Elle" Moody and her husband,
James Gray, Frances Moody Buzbee and her husband, Tony, Robert L.
Moody III, Jackson Davis "Jack" Moody, Maggie Grace Moody,
Russell Shearn "Rusty" Moody II, William Charles McLeod "Will"
Matthews and his wife, Emma, Katherine Leanne "Kit" Matthews,
Tiffany Nicole Bastow, Kimberly McLeod Almon and her husband,
Jackson, Marissa Ann Matthews, Lauren Anne Balentine, Alexis
Gabrielle Moody-Dahlberg, and Ashton Lee Moody-Dahlberg; to his
great-grandchildren, Ella Ann Grant, Jackson "Pierce" Almon II,
Brooks Woodson Almon, and Ann McLeod "Annie" Almon; and to his
other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Robert Lee Moody Sr.
Middleton
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on November 30, 2023,
by a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate