Lon Jacob Moody, III

April 13, 1926 - May 1, 2022

Lon "L.J." Jacob Moody, III Rayne, LA - Lon Jacob Moody III passed away quietly and peacefully in his sleep Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings, LA. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at a 2:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in for Lon "L.J." Jacob Moody, III, 96. Inurnment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2 in Rayne, LA. Rev. Brent Smith, Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church will be the Celebrant of the Memorial Mass and will conduct the memorial services. The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. Our dad was born in Eunice, LA on April 13, 1926. He resided in Eunice until he entered the US Naval service during World War II. He was selected to attend officer training at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS which he completed before continuing as a naval pilot at Chapel Hill, NC. He was still in preflight training when the war ended with the Japanese surrender in 1945. While in officer training he was a classmate of Johnny Carson of Tonight Show fame and also was coached by Paul "Bear" Bryant at Chapel Hill. After being discharged from active service in 1946 he rejoined his family which had relocated to Rayne, LA. While working for his dad to get a trucking business going he met a beautiful young 1st grade teacher who was teaching across the street from his new home in Rayne. LJ met the love of his life Louetta Frances Hains practically standing at his doorstep. Romance blossomed into a very fruitful 72 years of Marriage to Lou and was his life's purpose. LJ and Louetta raised a family of three boys and two girls on East Henry St. in Rayne. LJ loved competition and participated in several sports including wrestling, tennis, basketball and football. But, his real passion was for parlor games which he cultivated during his childhood, competing with big sister Margaret and little brother Eddie. His favorite game was dominoes, which he absolutely excelled at. He loved fishing with Louetta and his kids or just being out in his boat enjoying a ride. Many friends and family can attest that if not for him they would never have learned to ski. LJ was a quiet man with a big heart. He loved spending time with his family and close friends whether in the yard or at his favorite spot: Sam Houston Jones State Park. Watching his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids compete was a very big part of his life. Survivors include his five children, Mark Hains Moody and spouse Joan Flores Moody of Lacomb, LA, Neil S. Moody and spouse Michelene Suire Moody of Bridge City, TX, Lenore Ellen Moody LeBlanc and spouse Jesse J. LeBlanc, III of League City, TX, Lonnie Paul Moody and spouse Melinda Leger Moody of Rayne, Maureen Moody Benoit and spouse Kevin Benoit of Rayne. LJ and Louetta had fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren, Celeste Moody Halko and spouse David Halko and children Christopher and Ryan of Georgetown, TX., Jacob Moody and spouse Misty Peveto Moody and children Collin and Rebecca of Orange, TX, Matthew Moody of Round Rock, TX, Jill Moody Carlin and spouse Aaron Carlin and children Jerran, Jake and Avery of Orange, TX, Sarah LeBlanc of League City, TX, Lon Moody and spouse Ashley Robicheaux Moody and children Ava Grace, Lon Paul, Sylvia, Liam, Olivia and Levi of Rayne, Luke Moody and spouse Kellie Broussard and children Vivian, Jack and William Joseph of Rayne, Laurie LeBlanc Grove and spouse Nathan Grove of Colorado Springs, CO, Jay LeBlanc of League City, TX, Lauren Moody McKey and spouse Todd McKey and children Kenleigh and Abigail of Baton Rouge, Cecile Benoit Albarado and spouse Kris Albarado of Covington, Conner Benoit of Lafayette, Wil Benoit of Rayne, Jake Benoit of Rayne. He was preceded in death by wife, Louetta Francis Hains Moody, grandson, Brian Moody, great granddaughter, Sophia Moody, father, Lon Jacob Moody, Jr., mother, Cecile Babeaux Moody, sister, Margaret Moody Pellegrin and spouse Terry Pellegrin, Sr., brother, Patrick Moody, brother, Edward Morris Moody, Sr. and spouse Johanne Mauboules Moody. Pallbearers will be Jacob Moody, Matthew Moody, Luke Moody and Jay LeBlanc. Honorary pallbearers will be Lon Moody, Conner Benoit, Will Benoit and Jake Benoit. Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141. Gossen Funeral Home, Inc.