Godfrey, James Gordon 


GLADEWATER -- James Gordon Godfrey passed on to his eternal reward August 26, 2006. 
Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2006, at Gladewater First United Methodist 
Church, with the Rev. Rodger D. Garbs officiating. Burial will be in Rosedale Cemetery. 
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today, August 28, 2006, at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater. 
Mr. Godfrey was born to James Allen Godfrey and Roxie McComic Godfrey September 17, 1911, 
in the Friendship community of Gladewater, Texas. He moved to Gladewater with his family 
in 1912, and attended Gladewater public schools, graduating as valedictorian of his high 
school class. He continued his education at North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington. 
Mr. Godfrey or "Papa Ga," as his family lovingly called him, had a gift for working with 
wood and enjoyed making furniture and clocks for his family and friends. On September 23, 
1942, Gordon Godfrey married the one true love of his life, Gracie Lee Johnson Kidd, and 
they were blessed with 61 years together. Not long after their marriage, he left for the 
war in December 1942, and received his basic training at Camp Forrest, Tenn. He found 
himself serving his country in Germany and Central Europe as a member of the 61st Battalion. 
Mr. Godfrey received two battle stars for his service to his country. Upon returning from 
the war in January 1946, Mr. Godfrey returned to Gladewater and continued his work in real 
estate investments and working on the family farm. The First United Methodist Church played 
a tremendous role in Mr. Godfrey's life. As a charter member of the Church, he could trace 
the root of his faith back to his parents, the pastor and friends he cherished during his 
life. Mr. Godfrey was preceded in death by his parents, James and Roxie Godfrey; his brother 
and best friend, Wilson Godfrey; and his beloved wife, Grace Godfrey. He is survived by his 
daughter, Wanda Kidd Reeves and her husband, Jack, of Longview; two grandsons, Rick Reeves 
and his wife, Deby, of Hallsville, and Kyle Reeves and his wife, Kathleen, of Longview; and 
four great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Rick Reeves, Kyle Reeves, Chad Reeves, Justin 
Reeves, Jerrell Garwood and Buddy Woolley. A special thanks to Carol Eberly, Zelma Gordon, 
Emily Heinz and those who chose to lovingly tend to "Papa Ga," at Legend Oaks Nursing Home. 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 217 Quitman, 
Gladewater, TX 75647; LifeCare Hospice Services, 1809 Gilmer Road, Longview TX 75604; Hiway 
80 Rescue Mission, 3117 W. Marshall Avenue, Longview, TX 75604; or to the charity of your 
choice.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 8/28/2006.