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