Jack O. Godbee

Jack O. Godbee, 92 of Palm Coast, FL passed away February 5, 2016. Jack was born on February 26, 1923 in Millen, GA, where he lived and graduated from Millen High School in 1940. He graduated from Middle Georgia College in 1942 and enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corp. He was trained at Randolph Field, San Antonio, TX and commissioned in Dec. 1942. Jack served as an instructor pilot in the Gulf Coast Flying Training Command until being assigned to Heavy Bombardment, becoming an B-29 Aircraft Commander at age 22. After WWII, Jack was employed by Pan America World Airways in 1946 as a pilot based in Miami, FL. He flew routes in Central and South America and subsequently met his future wife, Phyllis Johnson, who was a stewardess with Pan American. They were married in Coconut Grove, FL in 1949. Jack was transferred to New York in 1953. Jack and his family volunteered for an assignment in 1966 to Hong Kong, BCC, to operate flights for MACV into and out of Vietnam to various bases in Southeast Asia, serving the Military’s R&R for all service personal. Jack made 500 flights in and out of Vietnam until returning to New York in1968. Jack finished his career in New York flying all over the World as Captain on Boeing 707's and Boeing 747’s, making at least three inaugural flights for Pan Am. At the time of his retirement in 1983, Jack was the third most senior Pilot with Pam Am. Jack enjoyed Tennis and especially Golf. He was a member of the Pine Lakes Country Club since 1985 when he and Phyllis retired to Palm Coast. Phyllis passed away in November, 2015. Jack is survived by his sons Mark and Gary, Gary's wife Irene, and grandchildren Nina and Julia. A Memorial Service for Jack Godbee will be held at 5:00 pm on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast, FL 32137, 386-445-4757. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.volusiamemorialfunerals.com