Historic speaker series to focus on Fred Moodry

If you've ever wanted to know about the man for whom one of the Smelter City's schools is named, now is your chance as the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Historic Resources Board's "Anaconda's Past" historic speaker series for April will focus on the life of Fred Moodry, namesake of Fred Moodry Intermediate School. 

Retired Anaconda educator Jeff Frank will deliver the talk on Moodry at noon at The Forge on Thursday, April 10 – the same day as the "Fred Moodry's Night Out" fundraiser (see below). 

Without giving away too many details, Frank said that Moodry grew up in Butte, graduating from Butte High School where he excelled in football. He then went to Boise State, which at that time was a junior college, but returned to Butte and then enlisted in the Navy when the Korean War broke out. 

After four years in the Navy, Moodry went to Carroll College where he continued to excel in football and academics, and after completing his degree he started teaching at Anaconda Central High School (which is now FMIS), then at Anaconda Junior High School, and then Anaconda High School. He taught Latin, English, history and government. After that, he became principal at Lincoln School, and finally superintendent.

And, at just 44 years old, he died suddenly after playing racquetball. To learn more, stop by The Forge at noon on April 10 for "Remembering Fred Moodry."