Rodney Lynn Moak, 89, of Huntsville, passed away Monday. Rod was born at home to Broadus and Ruby Nell Moak of Lindale, Georgia. His father was a mill manager and his mother a schoolteacher.
His lifelong love of history was stoked by personal encounters with such luminaries as Henry Ford, Sgt Alvin York, George Patton and Ted Williams during his early years.
In 1956, Rod married Norma “Billie” Davis and for 51 years they traveled the world together. That marriage, and his two sons, Rodney Jr. and Michael Wray, along with his grandchildren and nephews and nieces, were the things that gave Rod the most joy.
A sincere and humble man, Rod was a servant in the noblest sense of that word. A graduate of Darlington Academy and Georgia Tech, he served as an aide and a tutor to the Athletic Department while there.
As a patriot, Rod served as a member of the Green Berets and in the National Guard. In his community – he served on the Board of Directors for the Historic Huntsville Foundation, as a Boy Scout leader, a poll worker, and was involved with the Huntsville Land Trust. For his fellow man – Rod was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for 60 plus years. He also dedicated 30 plus years of his life to space exploration at NASA.
Beginning in 1958, Rod worked with the team at Marshall Space Flight Center to further our knowledge and understanding of the universe. Rod also served his family and his friends as a beacon of wisdom, humility and grace.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife “Billie”, and his son, Michael Wray, along with his sister, Mrs. Richard (Sylvia) Turner. He is survived by his son, Rodney Jr. (Foley, AL); sister, Mrs. JC “Julia” Reeder; three grandchildren, Tyler and wife, Leah, Taryn and husband, Will, and Cayton “Caty” and husband, James; great-grandchildren, Conner, Dane, West, and Parker, all of Huntsville; niece, Susan Shamblin Lanigan and husband, Greg; nephew, Luis Lea Flournoy of Atlanta; and great nephews, Andrew and Alex.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 29 at First Baptist Church. The funeral will follow at the church with the Rev. Travis Collins officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
