Ronald James “Moods” Moody passed away at home Wednesday May 20th at the age of 67.
Ron was born January 12th 1953 in Butte, Montana to Harold and Clara Moody. Ron was forever a Butte kid and despite many adventures always returned home to Montana.
In 1976, Ron acquired a degree in elementary education focused in special education from MSU Billings and went on to teach until 1993. Teaching allowed Ron to relish summertime as an avid outdoorsman and exceptional angler. If you knew Ron you knew, if he wasn’t telling jokes at a local watering hole, he was off floating the Big Hole.
Ron was an ardent language enthusiast. His passion for wordsmithing resulted in a world record amount of completed crossword puzzles, a poem on every notepad, postcard, and napkin, and a self-published series of poems. “If Ya Would” heartily showed his hometown pride with the front-page poem, Butte:
Shadows haunt the mines on the hill
Where men have lived and died
Beneath the ground, the days’ reward
The hours of work his pride
The winds now toil the caverns below
A mile or so of hell
Hard Rockers know, the tales of woe
As the richest mountain fell
Nature reaped beyond recourse
On the Butte, west of the Divide
Stolen gone her minerals
But ever lived her pride
Cuz on and on she’ll stay as tho’
The treasures still remain
In the hearts and souls of those
Who cherish her the same
For life is more than riches
Piled on some hill
Rewards are those found at home
And most likely always will
Ron is survived by his children, Patrick Moody of Mountain View California, Shannon Moody Rausch (Mitchell) of Bozeman Montana, Brother Ralph Moody (Patti) of Great Falls Montana, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and chosen family.
A celebration of life will be held privately at Ron’s request with a float down the Big Hole River. Donations can be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ron.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Ron and his family.
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Dimmitt says
My heart felt conlolences to Ralph and to Ron’s adult children. Rest in Peace, Ron. I am a second cousin of the Moody boys.
John and Liz Hipp says
Both John and I have known Ron when he was growing up.. Clara was my mom’s best friend (Eunice Hoar) and John grew up near them. We are so very sorry for your loss and send our prayers.
Janelle Lehto Drapesa says
I always admired that he was so handsome and had so much inner strength when those Walkerville bullies were so mean to all of us in 7th snd 8th grade.
Much love to his family… I’m sure you were proud of him!
Joe Stuver says
Bye Moods. Wish we could have had one more visit. Go With God, My Friend.
I’ll see you on the Other Side.
Love you
Don Rankin says
Sorry to had to leave us Moods. It was great to know you and we’ll be seeing each other again. We’re all riding the same train to the same destination. Some are riding nearer the engine than the caboose but we all arrive at the same station in the end – see ya later, Ron.
John says
Caught my biggest fish from his raft in the mid nineties on the Jefferson between Silverstar and Waterloo. I used to see him at the Dewey Bar when I went through on my motorcycle, he was always fun to visit with . I’m in AA …. 19yrs , wish he would’ve joined me . I’m gonna miss talking to Ron . My sincere condolences to his family . He was a good guy . 🙁 too soon gone.