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Garvin Hugh Godfrey
03/09/1933 — 08/09/2002
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Crested Butte, Colorado
Garvin Hugh Godfrey
Garvin H. Godfrey, 69, of Richland slipped away into the arms of his loving and faithful God on August 9,2002. He was born in Crested Butte, Colorado on March 9, 1933 to Malvern and Emily Godfrey. Garvin was an active young man. He became an Eagle Scout, he was active in several sports - football, wrestling and track being some of his favorites. He loved to sing and is still known by his high school classmates as the one with the beautiful bass voice.
Garvin graduated from Paonia High School in Paonia Delta County Colorado. He attended Colorado School of Mines before moving on to Montana School of Mines where he graduated with a degree in Geological Engineering.
In 1956, he married Glada Anne Nichols, and they became the proud parents of a son, Lindseth Malvern, and a daughter, Renata Marie. Together they enjoyed many fun times skiing, camping, visiting family and friends and being an active family in First Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Garvin served his country as an officer and a navigator for the Air Force in Germany. His civilian career included time working at Idaho Falls before moving to the Tri-Cities in 1974. At that time he began working for the Washington Public Power Supply System as a Senior Operations Engineer assigned to WNP 3 Project. He moved through various other supervisory and managerial positions before retiring from the Supply System as Performance Evaluation Manager in 1995.
In 1996, Garvin married his current wife, Eunice. They enjoyed many happy times playing Scrabble, Cribbage and just laughing. They truly were best friends. Garvin was an active member of Richland Lutheran Church and a faithful choir member until his illness worsened. Garvin particularly enjoyed bird-watching. He was also an artist and did beautiful calligraphy and water colors.
Garvin was preceded in death by his parents, Malvern and Emily Godfrey, and by a brother who died in childhood. He is survived by his wife Eunice of Richland; his son, Lindseth Godfrey and his family, Holly, Lyndsay, Courtney and Sierra of West Richland, his daughter, Renata Godfrey of West Richland; his brother Gerald and his wife Norma of Palmdale, California; stepsons Todd Riensche of Everett, Washington, and Roderick Riensche and his family, Heather, Alexis and Colby of Richland; a niece, Karen Schultze; a nephew, Gregg Godfrey; and Glada Anne Godfrey and her numerous sisters, brother, nieces and nephews.
Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 1:00 on Saturday, August 17th followed by a memorial service at Richland Lutheran Church, 901 Van Giesen Street in Richland, at 2:00. For those who wish, memorials may be made to Good News Media Ministry or to Richland Lutheran Church.
Garvin was the best patient a nurse could ever have asked for! He was always interested in your life.He had a great sense of humor and a love for music. He spoke about his family every day and was so proud of his children.I visited Garvin every day at his home for a year and enjoyed every visit, especially there clean bathroom. a home health nurse always is in need of a GOOD bathroom. I remember when he had his bathtub refinished ha! Garvin and Eunice were truly so happy together and they blushed when they told me how they met on the job.I think that was how the story went. When Garvin was discharged from Home Health we had a party at Las Margeritas. We also had a BBQ that Eunice and Garvin put on for the nurses.He gave us all a beautiful silk scarf which I wear on occasion and always think of the Godfrey’s.Eunice picked out some jewlry for us too. I recieved a pair of earrings that were angels and they are very dear to me. How lucky I was to be a part of such a caring wonderful couple as the Godfrey’s during his need for a nurse.Sometimes there are those patients that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Goodbye Garvin. Shawn Taber
You would always share a wave and a smile whenever we’d see you sitting outside getting some fresh air. You loved watching our kids play in the backyard and enjoyed the building process of our shop. You were a great neighbor and we will all miss you. God Bless and Keep You!
Eunice, I wanted so much to come and see you this week while I was there working, give you a big hug and tell you how sorry I am over the loss of your dear friend and companion. But, since you already had so much company, I thought, you needed family first. I only met Garvin briefly once and I know he had to be special to gain your love and friendship. You are special too and if you ever need to talk, please call me. Take care and may god speed. Your friend, the Rude One, Rudy in Bend, OR.
Eunice;
When I was helping set up the EEOICPA office, I would often call your house and leave messages with your secretary .. Garvin. He had such a great phone voice! He was well worth whatever you paid him. Today, I am thanking God that Garvin got to go home to be with Him without a long time of intense, excess suffering. God is good; all the time. love you, Crickett
Garvin was the best patient a nurse could ever have asked for! He was always interested in your life.He had a great sense of humor and a love for music. He spoke about his family every day and was so proud of his children.I visited Garvin every day at his home for a year and enjoyed every visit, especially there clean bathroom. a home health nurse always is in need of a GOOD bathroom. I remember when he had his bathtub refinished ha! Garvin and Eunice were truly so happy together and they blushed when they told me how they met on the job.I think that was how the story went. When Garvin was discharged from Home Health we had a party at Las Margeritas. We also had a BBQ that Eunice and Garvin put on for the nurses.He gave us all a beautiful silk scarf which I wear on occasion and always think of the Godfrey’s.Eunice picked out some jewlry for us too. I recieved a pair of earrings that were angels and they are very dear to me. How lucky I was to be a part of such a caring wonderful couple as the Godfrey’s during his need for a nurse.Sometimes there are those patients that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Goodbye Garvin. Shawn Taber
You would always share a wave and a smile whenever we’d see you sitting outside getting some fresh air. You loved watching our kids play in the backyard and enjoyed the building process of our shop. You were a great neighbor and we will all miss you. God Bless and Keep You!
Eunice, I wanted so much to come and see you this week while I was there working, give you a big hug and tell you how sorry I am over the loss of your dear friend and companion. But, since you already had so much company, I thought, you needed family first. I only met Garvin briefly once and I know he had to be special to gain your love and friendship. You are special too and if you ever need to talk, please call me. Take care and may god speed. Your friend, the Rude One, Rudy in Bend, OR.
Eunice;
When I was helping set up the EEOICPA office, I would often call your house and leave messages with your secretary .. Garvin. He had such a great phone voice! He was well worth whatever you paid him. Today, I am thanking God that Garvin got to go home to be with Him without a long time of intense, excess suffering. God is good; all the time. love you, Crickett
Garvin and I worked together on several projects and I always admired his competence. He was at ease working with a wide variety of folks and helped to get difficult jobs done well.
Lindsey,
I wanted to offer my condolences on your dad’s passing. I hope your best memories of him will give you some comfort in the times ahead. I lost both my folks within the last 2 years, and it’s made me have a greater need to let people know when I am thinking of them. So I wanted to tell you that I have some very fond memories of our teen-aged times and that I always thought you were a very special person. I wish you the best in life.
And now we are grown ups, raising our own families, and coping with some of the inevitable transitions of life. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Your Friend,
Rhonda Miller
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Garvin Hugh Godfrey