LITCHFIELD, Conn. – Dwight Campbell Moody Sr., 92, died peacefully July 23, 2011, at Brandywine Assisted Living, Litchfield, Conn. He was born June 18, 1919, in Lincoln, to Rosella Campbell Moody and Preston Delos Moody.
Dwight was an outstanding athlete throughout his school career in Lincoln, and excelled in track and field at the University of Maine, where he led a national championship freshman cross-country team. At the university, where he earned a degree in agricultural economics, he also met his wife of 68 years, Frances Drew. They married May 29, 1943, at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford, Conn. In 1942 Dwight enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a warrant officer, where he became an instructor of instrument landing using the then new technology of radar. After the war, he attended Cornell University and received a master’s degree in education. With this degree he became a lifelong educator. He taught at schools in Hampden Highlands, New Britain, Conn., and West Hartford, Conn. Dwight spent most of his teaching career at King Philip Junior High, West Hartford, Conn., where he taught seventh grade biology. Both Dwight and Frances were active in Scouting. Dwight was especially active in merit badge instruction and testing. They were longtime residents of West Hartford, Conn., and then Canton, Conn.
Dwight is survived by his children and their spouses, Dwight C. Jr. and Nenita Moody of Altadena, Calif., Stephen and Cheryl Moody of Cheshire, Conn., Caroline and Geoffrey Mandly of Bolivia, N.C., Elizabeth and Kenneth Merz of Litchfield, Conn., Andrew and Rebecca Moody of Madison, N.J., Constance and Kevin Knott of Sterling, Va., Kevin DesRoches of Canton, Conn., and Abigail Randazzo and fiance, Lawrence Ashley, of Barrington, R.I. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; as well as his sister, Rose Moody Cohoon of Shepard, Mich. He was predeceased by his brother, Ardine Moody; sister, Frances Moody Jarvin; and two children, Christine Moody DesRoches and Peter Daniel Moody.
Calling hours will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, Conn. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, South Street, Litchfield, Conn. Burial will be noon Saturday at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford, Conn. There will be a gathering of family and friends after the burial at 7 Yacht Club Passway, Morris, Conn. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lincoln Public Library, 21 West Broadway, Lincoln, ME 04457 or a charity of donor’s choice.