Born in LaCenter, Kentucky, Moody received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Indiana University Bloomington in 1960 and a Bachelor of Laws from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1963.
He was a superior court judge for Lake County, Indiana from 1972 to 1979, when he became a United States magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, a position he held until 1982.
He was also a member of the faculty of Business Law, Indiana University from 1977 to 1980.
[1] On December 4, 1981, Moody was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana vacated by Judge Jesse E. Eschbach.
Moody was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 8, 1982, and received his commission the following day.