Girvis Wilbur Moody Jr.

Girvis W. Moody Jr. was born on December 26,1950 in Newark, New Jersey to parents Girvis W. Moody Sr. and Dorothy L. Moody (nee Jennings). He was the youngest of three children and much adored by his two older sisters. He was affectionately nicknamed “Skipper” and later called Skip by his friends and colleagues.



Skip attended the Newark public schools and graduated Class of 1969 from Eastside High School where he played the trombone for several years.

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He was married at a young age to the late Victoria Moody (nee Pruitt) and they had two sons Girvis W. Moody III (Tee) and Victor T. Moody Sr.



Skip had a strong work ethic beginning as a teen store clerk, later a factory worker, also worked for the Newark Housing Authority as a painter from where he was recruited in 1972 to become a Newark NJ Police Officer. He earned several police bravery commendations and rose to Detective. This led to his serving as private security duty for the former Newark NJ Mayor Sharpe James and his immediate family. Skip also served for many years as a Newark Bronze Shield Honor Guard who participated in numerous community celebrations and tributes for fallen fellow police officers. He retired from the Newark Police force in 1998 after 25 plus years of service!



With God’s blessings, he moved to Somerset NJ in 1994 and had a beautiful home built. It was also during this time, he married his long term sweetheart Andrea Moody(nee Shorter) and they proudly welcomed the birth of a beautiful daughter Alexis N. Moody.



Those who knew Skip personally, witnessed his great love for gardening; he could name every one of his plants! He however would never admit to having a plant “overkill” and would attempt to rationalize to his wife, saying that it was all alright since he brought many plants that were yellow, as it is her favorite color LOL :)



Skip is known for his talented artistic creativity especially during the yearly holidays when he prided himself on displaying quite impressive eye-catching indoors and outdoors themed decorations. Visitors would often take selfies and pictures!



Although Skip was a quiet and very reserved man, he was also quick witted and had a great sense of humor. He loved to share his many jokes with anyone who would listen and oftentimes he would just crack himself up!



Throughout the years and while in good health, Skip held many interests and hobbies that included gardening, freshwater fishing where he proudly caught a prized 5+ lbs largemouth bass that he had taxidermied, as a young adult he played community baseball, he cautiously rode his motorcycle, was an avid radio listener, and TV viewer of politics, football games, old movie classics and yes, he would actually many times become teary eyed, he enjoyed metal detecting, kite & model airplane flying, soulfully singing Motown tunes and dancing, going to years of daughter Alexis’s cheerleading activities, traveling both domestically and internationally, highly cherishing his attendance, accompanied by wife Andrea to the 1996 USA Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia; loved grill barbecuing that often included having many home cookouts and last but not least, tinkering to take things apart with only a promise to put it back together!



Skip also answered to the call of “Pop, Dad and Grand pop. He loved all of the children very much. He however suffered high “Daddy separation anxiety” toward letting Alexis go off to college then on to graduate school and to travel “without” her parents ! He never hesitated to let her know he loved her and how proud he was of all her personal growth and academic accomplishments!



Skip had a personal relationship with God! He acknowledged that God is in control and had carried him through many years of fragile health.



Girvis W. Moody Jr. is predeceased by his parents Girvis Sr. and Dorothy Moody, and two sisters Vivian M. Kreps and Cora “Brenda” Moody both formerly of Newark, NJ.



Skip leaves to cherish fond memories, his loving soulmate, faithful wife Andrea Moody, sons Girvis W.Moody III (Richie), (Sussex, NJ), Victor T. Moody Sr. (Lakiesha), (Jersey City, NJ), daughter Alexis Moody (Norfolk, VA). Seven grandchildren, Dominique Moody, Victor Moody Jr. (Sadeliah), Davon Moody, (Onya), Keshawn Moody, Jacqueline Moody, Kai Moody and Vanessa Moody. Six great grandchildren Janiyah Montgomery, Diamond Moody, Naveah Moody, Peyton Moody, Messiah Moody and Aubrey Moody. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and his Newark Police Officers family.



Offering a special note of thanks and appreciation for their personal assistance to his grandson Davon Moody, niece Dorothy “Dolly” Gatewood and sister in-law Zada Shorter.