Jose E. (Gene) Moody of San Benito, TX. Jose E. (Gene) Moody was called home to the Lord Easter Sunday morning, April 24, 2011 at the age of 82. He was surrounded by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Ann and his family who cherished and loved him deeply. Gene was born on October 23, 1928 at El Ranchito, TX. He worked in the fields at a very young age and earned the title of "Quintero" upon demonstrating he could pick 500 pounds of cotton in a day. In 1948 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a volunteer and was assigned to the 1st Marine division Motor Transport, Second Battalion and with only two months left in his enlistments the Korean War began and his tour was extended. His battalion made the first Inchon landing in South Korea. He had earned a Presidential Unit Citation, three Korean Service Medals and the United Nations Ribbon and was Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant. Soon after returning from Korea, Gene met his future wife Anna who was from Chalfont, PA. The meeting was a chance encounter on the way to see a movie. They later married and raised seven children including two sets of twins. In 1953, Gene decided to go into the grocery business despite never working in a store before. The first small store had a total of inventory of only $200. After that he leased a building in San Benito on Panchita St. for about two years but later relocated on Zaragosa St. and then South Sam Houston St. He retired in February of 1994 and as he said the endeavor was worth all the time and effort it took as he was able to pass on his hard earned knowledge to his children as they grew up. Gene also became involved in the community through the services as a director of San Benito Bank and Trust, and served 12 years on the Board of Trustees for the San Benito C.I.S.D. His proudest moment was when as a board member he presented his twin daughters their high school diplomas. He also served four years on the local zoning board, and was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. He is preceded in death by his youngest child, Catherine Marie Moody, his mother Angelita Moody, father Edward T. Moody, granddaughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Moody, brothers, Edward (Dutch) Moody, and Elmo Moody. Gene is survived by the love of his life, Ann Moody, children, Jo Ann Villarreal (Joe), Jeannie Cisneros (Rudy), Betty Winters (Nathan), Michael L. Moody, Dorothy Garza (David A.) and Mark Moody (Linda). Also surviving him are his loving grandchildren who will forever cherish his memories: Cris, Jacob, and Zeke Villarreal; Valerie T. Avila, Brandy T. Vela, Matthew, Michael, and Mark Cisneros; Michael Moody, Leslie Moody and Kelly Moody; Ashlee Winters; Sarah Garza Guerra, D. Anthony Garza and Thomas Garza; Maranda and Mariah Moody. Great Grandchildren: Jayden, Sage, Brianna, Rylon, Helena, Stella Catherine and Mateo. He is also survived by his sisters, Polly Moody, Rosa M. Guerra, and Stella M. Siegal. Also surviving are his are numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Honored to be pallbearers are his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are Joe H. Villarreal, Rudy Cisneros, Nathan L. Winters, and David A. Garza. The family would like to thank the VA Clinic, (Hlg) Dr. Candice Downing, Dr. J. Garcia, and their dedicated staffs for their never-ending support and guidance. Dr. Victoria Parada for her dedication and support and Dr. James Castillo and Odyssey Healthcare who were passionate about Mr. Moody's care and comfort. Words will not be enough to express our most sincere thanks to the staff at Canterbury Court for their patience and understanding, their kindness and love expressed to Mr. Moody and all of his family. Our deep felt appreciation to the loving angels who helped take care of Mr. Moody as his illness progressed: Lee Garza, Jorge Jaime and Joe Ramirez, to whom we are forever grateful. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 P.M. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and will continue from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm with a Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at The Knights of Columbus Hall, 836 East Stenger Street in San Benito. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 1425 North Sam Houston Blvd. in San Benito with Father Isaac Erondu officiating. Internment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito with full Military Honors under the auspice of American Legion Post 205 of Harlingen. Gene Moody served proudly in the Marines during the Korean War. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors at 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, TX. (956-399-1331.