Mohammad "Moody" Darwish

Mohammad Darwish, age 80, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Lake Charles. 

"Moody" arrived in the United States from Tartous, Syria in 1958 on a scholarship given to Arab Students by then Egyptian President Nassar. He studied English in Washington, D.C. and obtained degrees in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering from University of Texas, Austin and Lamar University. He began his Engineering career at Levingston Shipbuilding in Orange, TX., where he rose to Senior Vice President of Engineering. Moody was responsible for the engineering, development and production of "jackup" drilling rigs throughout the Gulf of Mexico and South America, as well a line of  Texas built bulk cargo carriers, including the ships the "Pride of Texas" and the "Star of Texas.”  He was retired from Firestone Polymers in Sulphur, LA. He was a registered Professional Engineer.

Moody serves as a worthy example of so many immigrants to the United States seeking a better life for themselves and their families, and the importance of, when having achieved that goal, giving back to community as well as those others seeking a better life through education and immigration.

Moody passed away after a long term challenge with coronary heart disease, which he managed as it could only be managed by "Dr. Darwish," a term of endearment given to him by his long term heart professional, Dr. Richard Gilmore.  His family wishes to honor and send a special thank you to Dr. Richard Gilmore, Dr. Abdel Abu Shamat, and nurse practitioner Barbara Laughlin.

Moody and wife Barbara are active members of St. Luke-Simpson Methodist Church in Lake Charles. He loved cooking for his family and friends, playing badminton, and square dancing.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Barbara Darwish of Sulphur, LA; siblings Sami Darwish, Osama Darwish, Hiam Darwish and Jamal Darwish of Tartous, Syria and Maan Darwish of Orange, Texas; beloved niece Rafah Darwish of Sulphur, LA; children Jihad Darwish of Austin, TX., Rose LeDoux of Tampa, FL., Bryan Gill and wife Gloria of Lake Charles LA, and Cynthia Lenss of Perris, CA; step children Derek Kinard of Atoka, OK and Justin Kinard of Lafayette, LA; 12 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers Moody was supportive of the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Sulphur, LA.

Moody’s funeral service will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 2:00 PM. Dr. John Robert Black and Reverend Charlie Langford will officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will resume on Wednesday morning at 8:00 AM until the time of service.