John Lafe Moody was born December 30, 1949, to Ralph and Gloria (Johnson) Moody in Springfield, MN. He passed away at his home on October 28, 2026 in Sanborn, MN.

John was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Stately Township. He grew up south of Sanborn on his family farm. Throughout his childhood he helped his dad milk cows and crop farm. He was the oldest and only boy of 7 children. John attended Sanborn High School and graduated in 1967. In May of 1969, he met Jean Zollner at the Avalon Ballroom in Sanborn. Later that year he was drafted and served in the Vietnam War. After he was wounded in 1970, he was admitted to the hospital in Colorado where he and Jean were united in marriage. They lived in Colorado for a short time while he was recuperating before moving back to Sanborn. John & Jean eventually moved to Westbrook for a short time where they farmed. 5 years later they moved back to Sanborn to farm. They were blessed with 4 children between 1971 and 1984. 

John worked various jobs throughout his life including Moorman Feeds, Gramstad Lumber, ChassisLiner Inc, and bar manager at Sanborn American Legion. Currently, he drove truck for Roiger Farms and Gary & Pat Roiger during the harvest season. His greatest joys in his life were his grandchildren. Throughout his life he enjoyed horseback riding, deer hunting, camping, farming, spending time with family, and having coffee every morning at the Sanborn Corners with his friends. 

Left to mourn his passing was his wife of 56 years, Jean of Sanborn; children, Theresa Moody of Sanborn, Craig (Annitra) Moody of Comfrey, Penny (Gary) Mattison of Lamberton, and Mike Moody of Sanborn; grandchildren, Sam (Hayley) and Andy Brandl, Chantelle, Alayna, and Cayden Moody, Kate and Evan Moody, and Gage Mattison; great-grandchildren, Marlee, Karic, and Gentry Brandl; step grandchildren, Scott, David, and Tiffany Gregg and their families, and Rylan and Ella Geis. He is also survived by his sisters, Jonlee (Edward) Brown, Patti (Dan) Lawrenz, Sue (Greg) Hartwig, Jean (Mike) McAlpine, Julie (Brad) Kircher, and Jennifer (Peter) Boorsma; sister-in-laws and brother-in-law, Marilyn Mielke, Rita Bandemer, Becky (Marty) Conzemius, Jeanette Zollner, and Willie Lochner; along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, son-in-law, Jeff Gregg, mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Helen Zollner, brother in-laws, Ron Zollner, Doug Bandemer, Elmer Krenz, and Edwin Mielke, sister in-laws, Eileen Krenz and JoAnn Lochner. 

A Celebration of John's life will be held on November 14, 2026 from 1pm-5pm at the Sanborn Community Center. A short prayer service and gun salute will be at 1pm.