Dan Moody Gaddis

DAN MOODY GADDIS

Born to Ollie Mae Henderson Gaddis and William Phillip Gaddis in Cason, Texas, Dan was a life-long Baptist, steeped in that tradition with a strong faith. As a small boy, Dan moved with his family to Borger TX while his father looked for work in the oil boom of that era. Soon after, he moved with the family to Fort Worth TX. This proved to be his home, and through all his travels and moves in his life to come, he always returned to Fort Worth. These were the Great Depression years, and Dan told story after story of his job selling newspapers outside hotels in downtown Fort Worth, scraping pennies to give his mother to help feed his siblings. Times were tough, and these times shaped Dan’s life and character. Family always came first, and anything worth having was worth the sacrifice.

Dan joined the US Navy during World War II at the age of 17 and was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he returned home, re-enrolled in school, and graduated from Paschal High School. He then enrolled and attended Texas Christian University (TCU) for one year. In 1948, Dan went to work for the Santa Fe Railway where he completed 40 years of service with that company. This job took him to Amarillo TX, Mountainair NM, Topeka KS, Los Angeles CA, back to Amarillo, and then back to Topeka where he retired as Signal Engineer in 1987. Upon retirement, Dan moved back to his roots to Fort Worth TX – specifically the River Oaks area – where he lived until moving to Amarillo in 2023.

Dan remained very active in his retirement. He and his wife, Marjorie, traveled around the US in their motor home. They loved seeing new places and making new friends. Dan was a Shriner, active in the Clown Unit, and visited with the children at the Shriner’s Hospital many times. He served on the City Council Place 3 of River Oaks TX from May 1993 to May 1997. Dan loved to play dominoes, playing with the same group of friends for many years. He loved to read, and spent hours at his table reading his bible.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings – Phillip Gaddis (Percy), Bob Gaddis (Barbara), Gwendolyn Gaddis Hanson (Bob), Sue Gaddis Lyles (Jay), Betty Gaddis Kemp (Steve), and his wife Marjorie Gaddis. Two children also preceded Dan in death – Teresa Gaddis Tucker (Randy) and William Martin “Bill” Gaddis and spouse Pati Wilkirson Gaddis.

Dan is survived by two children, three sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren: Danna Gaddis Moore and David – Leslie and Joey Gunn, Tommy and Rider; Jonathan and Kyleigh Moore and Elliott. Barbara Gaddis Fowler and Collin – Preston, Jamason, Kaysha Fowler Ireland and Kyle, Taylor and Keely. Randy Tucker – Steve and Courtney Tucker, Kenzie, Allie, and Blake; Scott and Rachel Tucker, Annalee and Austin. Krystal Wilkirson

Graveside services will be at Greenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth TX on May 16, 11:30 AM. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers Mr Gaddis requested donations to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, 600 SW 11th Ave, Amarillo TX 79101, or Scottish Rite for Children, 2222 Welborn St, Dallas TX 75219.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13:13