Larry "B.B." Godwin

Larry "B.B." Godwin

81, passed away March 9, 2016. He was born on January 31, 1935 in Armorel, AR to the late James and Dona Godwin.

Larry owned and operated Godwin Company Inc. (a forklift and golf car sales & service center) for 47 years. He was an inventor and developed several patents throughout his life, including Flex-View Mirrors, The Gang-Hitch Mower, and the A.L.A.R.M. power failure warning device. He also designed a baby bottle holder and loved to tinker with anything mechanical. He enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, woodworking, landscaping & caring for his homes. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his wife & family.

Larry was raised on a cotton farm in Kaiser, Arkansas and came to Indianapolis with several of his siblings in 1958 to make a better life for themselves. After working several jobs & learning various trades, Larry decided to start his own business in 1969 working on floor sweepers & scrubbers. He grew his business and soon took on forklift truck repairs. In 1974, he moved the business into its permanent location at 1175 W. 16th Street where he maintained operations for the next 42 years.

Larry was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Noble of the Mystic Shrine for 44 years. He was named Super Excellent Master in 1972.

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years Joyce Godwin; daughters Gail Godwin, Donna (Darryl) Porchia, Joni (Eric) Phillips, Julie (Lynn) Rekeweg, Susan Godwin, and Margo (Christopher) Wills; grandchildren Regina Amburgey, Dallas Bishop, Nikki Tschudy, Joe Smith, Bob Godwin, Breon Vargas, Jessica Irwin, Jessie Brown, John Burley, and David Montgomery; 19 great grandchildren; and hundreds of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Larry was preceded in death by his daughter Imogene Forsythe, grandson James B. Forsythe; granddaughter Celina Farr; brothers Harbert, Lester, Arch, Ben, and Murray Godwin; and sisters Kathryn Jordan, Imogene Pfaff, and Norma Barger.

Funeral Services will be held Sat. March 19th at 1:00 PM at Little & Sons Funeral Home Beech Grove Chapel, with visitation from 10:00 AM until time of service.

Burial to follow at South Park Cemetery, Martinsville, In.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Hospice.