RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn that John Moody Kahoun, the founder and owner of Moody's Pub, passed away on January 11, 2018 at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Chicago, John was born in the Roseland neighborhood on June 15, 1933, and was the oldest of four boys. John would spend his summers visiting his father's lake cabin in Minocqua, Wisconsin or visiting his mother's family in the Mississippi River town of McGregor, Iowa, where he enjoyed a "Huckleberry Finn" lifestyle and developed a lifelong passion for fishing; and
WHEREAS, John was also an accomplished athlete, earning varsity letters in football and wrestling while attending Morgan Park Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1951. He attended Ripon College on a football scholarship, and later attended Kent Law School; and
WHEREAS, John served as a Second Lieutenant in the Army and was stationed in Germany, where he developed a strong affection for German-style beer halls and beer gardens; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return to Chicago, John worked as an insurance adjuster and lived in a bare-bones apartment so that he could save money to open his own tavern; and
WHEREAS, In 1959, John achieved his goal when he opened Moody's Pub at 1529 North Wells in the then-obscure Old Town neighborhood, which had only one other tavern. Moody's, which John named after his mother's family name, immediately built a reputation by serving ice cold beer, sangria, onion rings, fresh cut fries, and sloppy joes. Arguably a victim of his own success, John was forced to close Moody's Pub when the increased popularity of Old town caused his landlord to raise the rent; and
WHEREAS, Undaunted, John reopened his tavern as Moody's II near Willow and Larrabee in Old Town, establishing himself as a founding father of the neighborhood. Moody's II was wildly popular, attracting crowds of artists and folk musicians, including Joan Baez, who would take a guitar off of the tavern's wall and begin playing. Sadly, Moody's II burned down in 1968;and
WHEREAS, Inspired by the beer halls he loved in Germany, John designed and built the third Moody's Pub in the Edgewater neighborhood, which he opened in 1969. This Chicago institution remains famous for its expansive beer garden and fresh, never-frozen burgers. Distinguished guests have included Gov. Jim Thompson, several Chicago mayors, Scottie Pippen, and George Halas; and
WHEREAS, Moody's Pub has been in the family for over 59 years, and has employed three generations of John's family. John's affable nature earned him the loyalty and respect of his staff, many of whom worked with him for several decades; and
WHEREAS, John made his home above Moody's Pub, and as recently as last summer would visit the Pub's beer garden for a burger and Old Fashioneds; and
WHEREAS, John also loved Puerto Rico, which was a family gathering place for fishing and spending time on the water together. John built a home along 10 oceanfront acres in the
Cabo Rojo region, a residence that included architectural details from his beloved German beer halls and Moody's Pub; and
WHEREAS, John leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 34 years, Katie; his daughters, Christine Kahoun Veech (Patrick) and Cindy Kahoun Dobbins; his son "Jake" John Moody Kahoun, Jr. (Marina); his grandchildren Patrick, TJ, and Wilson Veech, Kelly and Will Dobbins, and Liana Kahoun; and his brothers Ira (Vicky), Tom (Cindy), and David Kahoun; and
WHEREAS, John touched the lives of all who knew him, whether he was serving them burgers and beer in a picturesque and lively beer garden or deep-sea fishing in Puerto Rico. He will be deeply missed, but the memory of his sterling character and will live on in those who knew and loved him; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-eighth day of February, 2018, do hereby mourn the passing of John Moody Kahoun, and do hereby extend our most sincere condolences to his family and friends; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Moody Kahoun as a sign of our honor, gratitude and respect.