Mr. Garry Clark Godwin

Garry Clark Godwin, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on October 14, 2025, in Atmore, Alabama. He was 80 years old. He was born December 25, 1944, in Orlando, Florida, to Clark and Myrtle Knowles Godwin. They taught him to work hard and love Jesus, his family and America. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Roy, and sister-in-law Teresa. He is survived by his sisters Frances (David) Wiggins, Ann (Jerry) Shenk, and Carol (Travis) Glidden. Also, his children Stephanie (Jeff) Moore, Arden (Becky) Godwin, Melody (Steven) Reed, Bryce (Sarah) Godwin, Lori (Brent) Dalley, Alan (Meghan) Godwin, and Crystl Naylor; 26 grandchildren, and 2 great-granddaughters. Garry grew up in Wawbeek, Alabama surrounded by his siblings, grandparents, and many cousins and friends. He lived his life with unending curiosity, a sense of adventure and a deep love for his family and ancestors. He loved to hear stories about his ancestors and spent countless hours filling many notebooks with facts and some tall tales! Garry loved to travel. Good thing, too, because he had family in Utah and Alabama. He may have traveled across the country nearly every year of his adult life. He was always eager to see family at both ends of his travels and would take little- or no-stop road trips to get to the other side! Some more leisurely trips involved discovering new historic spots or taking minor detours to see National Sites. Garry was very interested in how things worked. He bought a small printing press that was sold to him with “very little future left in it”. He figured out how to make it run more efficiently and how to use it to build a successful printing company, starting in his home basement and moving it to a large shop. He taught his children how to run the many machines, collate invoices, make rubber stamps, work efficiently, and take pride in what they accomplished. Garry’s greatest joys were his grandchildren. He was known as the “Tickle Grandpa” and loved to “torture” them with tickles. He loved attending their plays, games, and any activity he could. He loved to show them around his beloved Wawbeek woods and take them on rides in the back of his truck. Garry loved his family, his siblings, ice cream, (home-made was the best), trains, old cars (he built 2 Model T Fords from tin lizzies), camping, nature/gardening/birds/plants/weather, photography, history, science, scouting, parades, reading, education, carpentry (he built his own 2-story home, children’s toys and furniture), family history, parties (usually as an observer), walks through the woods, tubing down the creek, and anything to do with education. He served others quietly and without needing acknowledgment. He supported church missionaries, volunteer firefighters, and small businesses. Thank you, Garry, for sharing your life with us, teaching us to be strong, smart, and kind. You taught us many life lessons. We miss you but know you are once again enjoying the full capacity of your body and mind. (We are so happy for you!) And you are with your many loved ones who were waiting for you. Tell them we said “Hey!”

Mr. Garry Clark Godwin

December 25, 1944 - October 14, 2025