B.I. Moody III, namesake of UL Lafayette business college, dies at age 97

Braxton "B.I." Moody III, a longtime Acadiana businessman and the namesake for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's College of Business Administration, died Wednesday at the age of 97, the university and Louisiana State Newspapers announced Thursday.

Eunice News, which is owned by Louisiana State Newspapers, reported Moody's death Thursday. Moody was the chairman of Louisiana State Newspapers. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette also released a statement on Moody's death.

"The University of Louisiana at Lafayette mourns the passing of Braxton 'B.I.' Moody III, a 1949 graduate, a longtime friend of the University and namesake of its College of Business Administration," the statement said. "Throughout his distinguished and varied career, Mr. Moody modeled the characteristics the University strives to instill in its graduates – hard work, persistence and integrity. We offer our condolences to the Moody family and join them in celebrating the life of this iconic figure in Acadiana’s business community."

Moody graduated from Rayne High School and attended Auburn University, but his college career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in the Pacific theater on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Randolph.

After the war, Moody resumed his college education at the Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now named the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1949.

After getting his degree, Moody became a founding partner in the CPA firm of Moody, Broussard, Poché and Guidry, which had offices in Crowley and Lafayette. He later served as the president and CEO of Chart House Inc., a company operating Burger King locations in Louisiana, Illinois, California, Virginia and Texas, in addition to Chart House steak restaurants in California, Cork & Cleaver restaurants in Colorado and Luther's Barbecue in Texas.

He served as the chairman of the board for First National Bank of Lafayette, The Moody Company and Louisiana State Newspapers. He has also served on the boards of companies including First Commerce of New Orleans, Riviana Foods Inc., Celeron Oil Company Inc. and Quantum Restaurants, among others. He had also been the president of the Greater Crowley Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the United Givers Fund of Acadia Parish.

He was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum's Hall of Fame in 2016 and was given an honorary doctorate from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration in 2017.

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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: B.I. Moody III, namesake of UL Lafayette business college, dies at 97