Ernest was born on June 7, 1946 in Amarillo to Benjamin and Alma Moody. He was raised in Dalhart, where he attended high school before being drafted into the United States Army. He proudly served until his honorable discharge in 1966. Upon his return to Dalhart, he married Ellen McKinley in 1974. They remained in Dalhart, where he worked on a ranch for 3 years, before settling in Amarillo. Ernest worked as a truck driver, where he was employed at Affiliated for 6 years, later Turk Distributors and eventually West Texas Burial Vaults. His friends and family knew him to be a "jack of all trades."

Ernest had a great sense of humor and was known to be a jokester. He enjoyed watching football and wrestling, as well as drag racing, a hobby he participated in at one time. He was social and would talk to anyone. Above all, Ernest loved his family. He loved nothing more than attending his grandchildren's events and was a proud "Papa and Daddy Papa" to them. He will be missed by his many family and friends.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Ellen Moody of Amarillo; 2 sons, Buster Moody and wife Cindy of Amarillo and Ernest Moody, Jr. of Amarillo; 2 daughters, Kathrine Goforth and husband Ricky of Canyon and Tanya Murff of Amarillo; sister, Ruby Helms of Amarillo; 2 brothers, Ted Moody and Ricky Moody, both of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 sister, Hattie and 3 brothers, Tom, Hoot and Roger and grandson, Nick.