John H. Godfrey

Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church with Reverend Daryl Hay officiating.

John was born in Elkhart, Indiana to Martha Jane and Howard Henry Godfrey on June 15, 1933. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Sociology in 1958 and from Sam Houston University in Huntsville with a Masters in Corrections in 1968. During his undergraduate studies he met and married Catherine Elisabeth Hotz on August 20th, 1958 in Mexico City, Mexico. Soon after marrying they moved to Gatesville, Texas where John’s career in the justice system began as the Supervisor of caseworkers at the Terrace School for Boys. In 1961, the family moved to Bryan where he was the Chief Probation Officer for Brazos County and continued in this role until 1979. John also served as Brazos County Jail Administrator, District Parole Officer and Court Bailiff for Brazos County. Throughout his professional career he achieved many accolades and positions of leadership including receiving the prestigious Liberty Bell Award; Founding member, President and Vice-President of the Texas Jail Association; Regional Chairman for the National Council of Juvenile Court Service Association; Texas Youth Conference Distinguished Service Award; Vice-President of Brazos County Counseling Service; Chairman of the Texas Institution on Children and Youth; and President of the Texas State Juvenile Officers Association. His lifelong advocacy for youth continued after his retirement by participating in Voices for Children and serving as court bailiff for the CPS court until his death. John was a faithful and loyal servant at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Together with his wife, he participated in numerous civic and community groups over the years. And last but not least, working alongside the love of his life, Cathy, he was Chief Dishwasher and Van Chauffer for the Kountry Korner Bakery in downtown Steephollow delivering wedding cakes throughout the Brazos Valley.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Jane and Howard Godfrey, and his sister, Gloria Kern.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine E. Godfrey, daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Mark Looney, son and daughter-in-law John and Sally Godfrey, son and daughter-in-law David and Marci Godfrey; grandchildren Elisabeth and husband Taylor Lemon, Richard Godfrey, Russell and wife Courtney Godfrey, Mary Godfrey, Kristin and husband Frank Baird, Tyler Godfrey; three great-grandchildren Jacob and Treyton Lemon and Hunter Baird. Additional family members include a brother in-law and sister in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family requests that memorials be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 217 W. 26th St. Bryan, TX 77803; Voices for Children, 115 N. Main, Bryan, TX 77803 or Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 W. 26th St. Bryan, TX 77803.