Jack W. Moody

Jack W. Moody, age 94, died peacefully at his home in Hilton Head Island, SC on April 26, 2021.

Born to John and Helen Moody in Plainfield, NJ on January 1, 1927 Jack had a full and celebrated life, earning several awards and sports records.  Jack was a WWII veteran and an accomplished track and field runner and jumper from high school through college. He set the men’s high school AAU record for high jump (6’ 3.5”) that stood from 1945 to 1954 and was named to the Plainfield High School Hall of Fame.  At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill he was part of the 1949 World Record Men’s shuttle hurdle relay team, leading to induction in the UNC Track and Field Hall of Fame and the University of Pennsylvania Penn Relays Wall of Fame. 

An active fisherman and boater, he was commodore for the Spray Beach (NJ) Yacht Club and held the state record for largest Albacore (74 lb 15 oz) caught in 1981.  Jack’s love of golf and outdoor activity and degree in recreation allowed him to oversee the development of programs and facilities at several local and county agencies over 33 years, including New Castle County, DE; Plainfield, Red Bank, Middletown Township and Somerset County, NJ.

While recreation director in Middletown Township, NJ and after recovering from paralysis caused by polio, he was named Jaycees “Man of the Year.”  As Director of the Somerset County Park Commission for 21 years, he oversaw the agency's growth to include 5 golf courses and acres of preserves and public recreation facilitie including an equestrian center, environmental education center, senior center and horticultural displays of rose and rock gardens.  He served as president of the National Association of County Officials, president of the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association and was president of and later served on the board of directors for the National Recreation and Park Association.

A resident of Moss Creek Plantation, Jack was commodore for the Moss Creek Yacht Club and served on the board for the owner’s association.  He later moved to the Bayshore community upon the passing of his wife of 70 years, Nancy Gimbernat Moody.  He is survived by his children Doug, Jill, Linda and Jeff, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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