Robert Davis Godwin

Robert “Bob” Davis Godwin was born in Quincy, Florida on July 23, 1948 to Donald and Betty Standley Godwin. He spent his final hours surrounded by family and friends, holding the hand of his wife, Sarah. A strong Christian and member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for decades, Bob knew that he was Heaven bound. On November 24, 2023, he was released from his eight-year battle with early onset dementia. Bob was a graduate of Leon High School and Tallahassee Junior College in Tallahassee, Florida. He joined the Navy in 1968, and served in Vietnam where he distinguished himself (working on P-3s and other aircraft), receiving four medals. Bob then served in the reserves until onset of Type I diabetes forced his honorable discharge. Upon return from Vietnam, Bob attended FSU and remained a lifelong Seminole fan. He transferred to FAMU to study in their Ornamental Horticulture program, earning a bachelor’s degree. Bob had his own lawn service for many years with appreciative customers who admired his personal moral character and skilled professionalism. It was all in God’s plan that in 1972, on the first day of fall classes at FSU, Bob walked into an Introduction to Art History course and seated near him was freshman (future kindergarten teacher), Sarah White Stewart (her very first class at FSU). They married during her senior year on August 28, 1976. Bob and Sarah were bonded together by a love of nature, art, and family. Over 47 years of marriage, they made over 1,000 day trips to the St. Marks Lighthouse. Bob would always say "You never know what you are going to see." Bob was a Scoutmaster for decades who led many to be Eagle Scouts—including both of his sons. He was a fly fisherman, an expert marksman, an avid reader, a camper, a hiker, a skilled carpenter and painter, a canoe and kayak paddler, a horseshoe player extraordinaire, an accurate dart player, a good bowler, a grower of vegetables, one of the last people on earth who loved fruitcake, and babies LOVED him. Most of all Bob loved “his people”, was a model son, husband, and father, who showed his sons “how it should be done.” He was a caring brother, a holder of hands, the morning coffee maker, a biscuit cook, and a cast iron chef. NOBODY made green beans like Bob. Bob is survived by his wife, Sarah Stewart Godwin; sons, Dr. David (Katie Kight) Godwin and Dr. Daniel (Katie Nuessly) Godwin; grandchildren, Ben and Emily Godwin who loved their “PaPa;” sister, Donna Godwin (David) Curry; brother, Rev. Stan (Jennifer Morrow) Godwin; sister-in-law, Alice Stewart Matthews; brother-in-law, Charles Stewart; many nieces and nephews; and Daniel and Katie’s dog, Aster. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Ronald Godwin, and a long line of pioneers in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Suwannee River Area Council BSA, 2032 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308. Please write Wallwood Scout Camp in the Memo Line. The Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 2:00 pm at an outdoor pavilion at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Pkwy, Tallahassee, FL 32311. All are invited to attend. Those who have been involved in Scouting are asked to wear at least one piece of a uniform (scarf, pin) or if still in Scouting, we hope you will come in full uniform. The family is being assisted by Jackie Fulford and James Sircy of Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee, Florida. 850.610.4444

Robert Davis Godwin

July 23, 1948 - November 24, 2023