Obituary of David C Godfrey

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, David C. Godfrey passed away peacefully at the home of his son in Boise, ID, on August 13, 2023 from complications associated with a stroke. David was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Julius Parr Godfrey and Vivian Jeanette (Loomis) Godfrey on December 15, 1936. He was the first of their two children. He grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota, fishing in the many streams and lakes, playing with beloved friends and cousins, and dodging consequences of his many lively antics as a child. 

The summer before his senior year, Dave moved to Utah with his family when his parents purchased a weekly newspaper, the Midvale Sentinel. He graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah, in 1954 before joining the Navy and serving his country on a destroyer, the USS Benner, as a radio operator. Upon the end of his service, he attended the University of Utah where he studied design. He joined the team at the Midvale Sentinel and became the advertising sales executive. During this time, Dave met the love of his life, Margaret Jean Wilkes at an ice cream shop. On June 27, 1959, they married in the All Saints Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, settled in Midvale, and started their family. In future years, Dave and his family would go on to expand the weekly newspaper into the Jordan Valley Sentinel with a much larger distribution.

Dave was a skilled gardener, coin collector, wood carver, and antique car restorer.  Through his careful saving of funds, Dave and Jean were able to purchase their cherished cabin in Timber Lakes, in the foothills of Heber Valley, where their family spent many wonderful vacations and get-togethers. Dave served several terms on the board of directors of Timber Lakes. They also built their dream home in Sandy, Utah.  Dave and Jean raised three children, taking them on many tours with the Antique Car Club of America by driving one of his antique cars, including his favorite 1932 Chrysler Imperial and a 1933 Chevrolet Sedan which he purchased for Jean.  His family also enjoyed many trips with the Utah Press Association. In his later years you could always find him with a toothpick in his mouth, a newspaper in his hands, coffee in his cup, and a grin on his face.  He was gentle with the little ones, and taught the grandkids to play pool on his antique pool table. He loved growing fruit on his trees in his backyard and watching quail run around his property. He was a big fan of the Utah Jazz and the University of Utah football program. He never hesitated to help his family and neighbors when needed.  He loved his family dearly and carried on loved traditions even after the death of his wife, Jean, in 2017 from a battle with cancer.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Margaret Jean (Wilkes) Godfrey, his sister Jean Margaret (Godfrey) Landers, brother-in-law James Landers and one grandson (Baby Michael Fish).  He is survived by his three children and their families, Loree Ann (Brian) Romriell, Annette Kae (Armond) D’Agostini, Randall Parr (Joelee) Godfrey, 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 12 step-great-grandchildren.

Services and interment will be Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT, 84092.  The viewing will begin at 1:00 PM followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM and graveside condolences at 3:30 PM.