Wallace ''Tex'' Wayland Moody

Wallace Wayland Moody \u0027\u0027Tex\u0027\u0027 70, passed away March 14, 2005 at his home in Page Springs, Arizona. It rained the day he left us, his favorite kind of day! He was born April 4, 1934 in Florida, but was raised in Texas. He graduated from Gatesville Texas High School in 1953, then served four years in the U.S. Air Force. After his discharge he remained in California and for the next 34 years he worked for the Metropolitan Water District. He retired as a plant supervisor in Eagle Mountain, California. His marriage to Gail Gordon in 1957 produced four children. While in California he served on the local school board and began lessons to obtain his private pilot\u0027s license and started his trek to visit air museums. In 1982 he married a local school teacher and in 1993 they retired to Page Springs to live in the house they had built earlier. Tex\u0027s passion was flying and he delighted being in the cockpit. He was a member of EAA Chapter #952. He built four airplanes that he enjoyed flying. He also took pleasure in rebuilding old engines, cars and trucks. He loved the wide open spaces of the desert which were reflected in many of his paintings. Wallace was preceded in death by his parents, brother Billy Moody and his sister Judy Bartels. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Veronica Moody of Page Springs and brother Carl (Pat) Moody of Weatherford, Texas. He leaves three sons: Mark Moody (Lee) of Parker, Arizona; Lyle Moody (Joanie) of Yuma, Arizona; Russ Moody of Ashfork, Arizona; and his daughter Julie Smiley (Steven) of Borrego Springs, California. He also leaves two stepsons and a stepdaughter, Charlene Smith of New Mexico. Grandpa Tex will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren Jessee, Jake, Hannah, Megan, Ely, Zane, Jonsie, Alyssa, Curtis, Kimberly, Tommy and one great-grandchild Arianne. At his request there are no public services planned. The family will later have a private service to remember this very special man.