Jan. 14, 1950-July 18, 2010
Nathan passed away after an extended illness Saturday, July 18, 2010, at the VA Medical Center in Decatur, Ga.
"Nate" was born in Fort Bragg, N.C., and, as military children often do, called places like Lakeland, Ga., Mainz, Germany, and Fort Campbell, Ky., home before settling in Ware County. He was retired from the U.S. Navy and was an active volunteer in the community, teaching reading at Glad Tidings Christian School and working with the Disabled American Veterans (DAY).
He was one of four children of the late Harold and Opal Godwin of Nicholls, Ga., and husband of 25 years to Barbara Godwin of Cartersville. He will be remembered by his siblings Jack Nix, Kay Shuman and Nancy Godwin. He is survived by his wife; siblings; and beloved children Donny Burch, Christia Williams, Nathan Harold "Hal" Godwin III and Matthew Godwin; treasured grandchildren, Cheyenne, Paige, Emily, Hunter, Zachary, Tearnafay and Rebecca; daughters-in-law, Courtney Burch and Kirn Godwin; son-in-law, Jeremy Williams; and step-son Lawrence DeChesser; along with countless other friends and family who were blessed to know him.
Nathan was an avid fan of Atlanta Braves baseball, and also enjoyed fishing, collecting antiques and animal figurines, and reading and watching science-fiction and fantasy. His passion, however, was the Disabled American Veterans. As a Service Officer for Thomas 0. Zorn, Chapter 70 in Waycross, he participated in activities such as fundraising, building access ramps, transporting veterans to medical appointments and assisting applicants in the benefits process. Perhaps nothing made him more proud than hearing a veteran who had previously been denied benefits had been approved with his help. He had held numerous offices within the DAV at the local and state level, and was recognized for extraordinary service to veterans by the state chapter.
Nathan touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. He was very serious, though, when he insisted that this be a time of rejoicing rather than sadness as he is now in the arms of his loving Father and has received the ultimate healing.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, July 24, at Miles-Odum Funeral Home, 130 Screven Ave., Waycross, GA 31501.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Nathan's honor to the Disabled American Veterans: Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 1430, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or at http://www.dav.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Owen Funeral Home (7131), Cartersville.