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August 6, 1951 - July 3, 1990 in Jacksonville, FL
Russell J. Godwin, 38, of Jacksonville, died July 3, 1990. He graduated from Wolfson High School and attended the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. on a football scholarship and completed his education at the University of Florida. He was a member of the San Jose Catholic Church, the Duval Lodge F&AM Scottish Rite, and the Morocco Shrine Temple. He is survived by his parents, Russell and Helen Godwin, sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Steve of Jacksonville and their children, Leah Maureen, Jessica Marie, Stephanie Michelle and Rachel Louise; his wife Angel Moody Godwin and their children, Ashley Danielle, Heather Melissa, and Alissa Sara. Services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the San Jose Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited in the funeral home, Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., at 8 p.m. Friday. Visitation will begin Friday at 7 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice,
Florida Times-Union - 7 Jul 1990
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Christopher Warren [Chris] Parker
This is one that really got me. Life is such a fragile thing. I was deeply saddened by this at the time. My memories of Russell were all good. Big smile, lots of laughing. I hope he is in a better place.Edward Jennings [Ed] White
Russell was a great guy. I remember back in the day when my surfboard was stolen Russell gave me his to use and said "keep it until you get a new one - I don't use it much anyway." He also gave us his Dad's number at PV so we could grab a snack when we wanted. It was a shock when this happened and I don't think the real story was ever really told . . . We always had fun.Alan Okun
I was so sorry and sad to hear that Russell passed away...We were good friends and football teammates in high school...Russell was one of many special players on our defense...I have very fond memories of Russell during our high school days... he was always smiling, laughing and fun to be around...I knew Russell's family well back then. His Mom and Dad were great...and his sister Cheryl is such a sweetheart...my heartfelt thoughts and love go out to Cheryl, her mom and the Godwin family...Russell was special and he is missed so much.Thomas Roland [Tom] Harkness
From my perspective as one of his social friends and a football teammate, Russell was one of a few high school characters (e.g., Jeff Rouzie, Jack Armstrong and Charlie Hunt) who seemed bigger than life. I guess in Jeff's, Jack's and Charlie's cases, they actually were. However, Russell always exuded the same level of energy and seemed to be in the middle of every social activity, and if nothing was going on, he'd start something. To be honest, I suppose I was a little envious of his boyish good looks and those quintessential dimples. For a pretty boy, however, he played a mean brand of middle guard on our defensive line and he was responsible for blowing up many of the opponent's running plays by getting lower and out quicking their offensive linemen--being meaner and dirtier probably helped too. Favorite memories include playing tackle football in the water-logged park which was down the street from the Godwin's house off of Hendricks Ave, and four-wheeling in Russel's and Bo Smith's (Wolfson '70) jeeps in the sand pits, which I think were located where the new open air mall is now situated off of 9A.Russel was a positive life force and always fun to be around. I was very sorry and saddened to learn about his later struggles and untimely death. May God rest his soul and may he grant peace to Cheryl (Wolfson '70) and the Godwin family.
With deepest sympathy, Tom
Lawrence Milton [Larry] Newkirk
Where do I start? Russell was absolutely my very best friend. It seems that we went everywhere together, with him always generously giving me a ride in his myriad of new vehicles. He was a part of the vast majority of my memories from junior high thru our early 30's. He was a great friend, generous to a fault, fun, happy, atheletic, and good looking. You never had a chance of meeting a girl if he was around. I am still close to his widow and children. His oldest daughter was married in April in California, and there was a photo presentation during the rehearsal dinner and when Russell's beaming face came up a few times, there wasn't a dry eye on anyone who knew him. Though he struggled later in his life, his heart, soul, and love were always pure. God rest his soul.Gregory S. [Greg] Poirier
Russ & I did a whole lot of surfing and partying together. It was big news when he left the Citadel and came to UF. I have the dubious distinction of surviving two car accidents with Russ when he was driving. He was larger than life to people and always had that grin. For those of you interested I have a great photo (#6) of Russ on my profile.Cheryl Godwin (Class Of 1971) (Grymes)
My brother, Russell died in July 1990. The journey was very long and painful. Many, many years of drug abuse and an ongoing roller coaster. He married Angel Moody in 1980 and they loved each other but it wasn't enough to save him from his addiction. They had three beautiful daughters born in 1981, 1982 and 1986.My parents were put through the depths of hell and did everything they could possibly do to "save" him. I loved him deeply and was so proud to have him as my brother even though he was always "prettier" than me. In fact, everyone loved him because he had a smile that brightened up a room and a contagious personality. But, in the end, none of that mattered because he didn't like Russell and the continuing pull to addiction was not something he could overcome. Cocaine was his drug of choice although he did everything to excess. I watched him chug a beer glass full of tequila and snort oysters - anything to get the attention he needed so badly to feel good about himself.
Russell was in at least four treatment centers over the years. Two of them were long term in other states. Mother and Daddy participated in the family weeks and supported him both financially and emotionally. I stayed close until the last year of his life. It then became self-preservation for me to pull away because there was nothing more I could do. It was just too much for me to deal with having four kids of my own. I loved him so much and I could not save him. I still talked to him but did not let myself get dragged into the pit of hell with him.
He and Angel divorced before he died. She just couldn't take it anymore. She still loves him to this day but she is remarried to a wonderful guy who loves her and her girls. And she loves him and has the life she deserves. And my niece just gave birth to Russell's first grandson and named him "Russell." He would have been so proud.
The end was very sad. We all knew it would come one day but you are never prepared. His body was unable to take the abuse any longer. He left the last treatment center too early and was using and drinking again knowing that he would eventually kill himself. The sad part was that he was arrested for old bad check charges and was going through withdrawals. He was not the physically strong person he once was but being put into a jail cell was something he always said he would not survive. Although we will never truly know what happen, we believe he was physcially abused as he fought back and ultimately died of cardiac arrest.
The really sad fact was that he died alone, with little worldly possessions. He had ridden a bus from Georgia and put his belongings in a locker at the bus station that my ex-husband retreived. In that one little bag were his clothes, something other incidentals and his bible. All of his worldly possesions in one little bag. No home, no car.
He had converted to Catholism earlier and he carried his bible everywhere. He favorite section was the story of Jonah and the whale. I think he identified with Jonah. My mother still has his tattered bible, with verses underlined and a dogeared cover.
I have many regrets. Even though I know that he was the only one to make it different I always wonder what I could have done. He had so much potential and I miss him every day. But I have often said that there are much worse things than death and Russell's life had become that thing. All of the love that surrounded him could not save him. He could only save himself and was, in the end, unable to do that.
My mother has been involved with Compassionate Friends for several years helping others with the pain that goes with losing a child. She is a remarkable woman who has been determined not to let Russell's suffering and death be in vain.
I appreciate all of you who have written about Russell. For a long time, I could only remember the bad stuff. That has changed through the years but it also helps to have all of you to remind me and my family of what Russell meant to you.
Barry Arthur Garten
I met Russell as a child at Hendricks Avenue Elementary School. Even then (we were both six years old at the time) he impressed me. I was astonished to read about his dark side in the Times Union newspaper after his death. In high school, he impressed me with his athletic endeavors and his ability to "get all the chicks". He came from a good decent family and in spite of some negative changes I noticed in high school, I will miss him. Had I seen him and Angel together, I would have thought (on the surface) they were the perfect couple together. Even though we don't know what God does with the soul, I believe he (God) is extremely merciful. May God bless you Russell. Goodbye.Christy Chandler (Garces)
Russel was my boyfriend for a brief time in the 7th grade.....Arranged by Connie Crabtree of course....I was afraid to kiss him because we both had braces....You know...They might get locked together and then my parents would find out.....I was awkward and not very pretty, so it was very kind of him to "go" with me....I'm sure he just felt sorry for me.....But that is the kind of thing he would do for others......And what I remember about him......I was truly saddened by his death.....His mother and sister are an inspiration to me.......Christy Chandler
Tom Maida
Damn! It's amazing how many disconnections happen.
I guess we both followed path from Elementary school that ended up in Wolfson
I went to the hell of Landon for 3 years, then the luxury of DuPont then Wolfson
I guess we were in elementary school when we would play football in ? His yard, off the road next over towards the river from Hendricks Avenue
I would have never depended on a football scholarship: one day we were playing after school and his knee ended up in contact with my shoe on some play and it opened his knee. Vaguely recall that the shoes, not ready for football, had some metal closure, and it drew blood. It sucked, and recall that I was given a hard time about the shoes It probably left a scar He was fine about it, not a complaining person, a fun person to be around in any situation
I found out about his end when I was at UF Opthalmology, in the 90's, recognized the last name, and learned he had stopped breathing, way too soon and when scanning the site I saw his sister here in the not breathing category.
I don't know if I ever knew his sister, but I do know that more people I've known, and considered friends at some point in my life aren't breathing anymore than are. And that sux!
I got a few plots and even put in a bench and markers for me & my sister in Atlantic Beach when getting my brother's
Took me over a year to get her end date added
and tried to pre pay for mine at the foundry
Russell!! You had more Ioved ones still breathing to mourn the loss of the knowledge that you were still extant, than those you had lost
There's got to be some good in that It reminds me of Captain Stormfields visit to heaven (Twain): It turned out things weren't perfect there, and he inquired about the imperfections "Well you know, without the bad, how would you appreciate the good ? So it's all good! (Twain said it better)
it is tough writing here using a phone
If there is some consciousness that remains, be well, and I hope the knee didn't bother you later!