Godfrey Waddell Updike Jr.
Godfrey Waddell Updike Jr.
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Godfrey Updike Obituary
Godfrey Waddell Updike Jr.
G.W. Updike, 63, died Sunday, April 24, 2010.
Because G.W. trusted in Christ as his Savior as a boy, his family rejoices in the certain knowledge that when we are "absent from the body we are present with the Lord". "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." Jeremiah 17:7.
G.W. loved three things very much: The Army, Boy Scouts, and his family.
G.W. graduated from Virginia Military Institute, and immediately entered the United States Army as a regular infantry officer in June 1969 serving until November 1979. He completed both Airborne and Ranger schools, Infantry basic and advanced courses, Command and General Staff College, the Army War College and a tour in Vietnam. He served in the United States Army Reserve for 19 years and retired in 2004 with the rank of Colonel. He was activated for Desert Shield and Desert Storm serving in Europe and Saudi Arabia. G.W. loved his time in service and considered it to be both an honor and a privilege to serve his country.
G.W. loved Scouting. He began Boy Scouts when he was 11, became Eagle Scout at 16 and has been involved in various roles since then. He loved introducing his sons Adam, Joshua, Jacob and James to the organization that he believed help develop men of character, faith, and citizenship. He was selected as a Silver Beaver in 2003 and the 2008 Eagle Scout Class Honoree.
In addition to his job at Lockheed Martin, he taught evenings at Webster University and FIT. His hard work allowed his wife, Debbie, to be a stay-at-home mom to their eight incredible children. "His Girls" - Rebekah, Abigail, Christiane, and Rachel, had their Dad wrapped around their fingers. He loved watching his boys play football and basketball. It was his joy to see his children grow up and honor God with their lives. "Dad" was his most distinguished honor.
G.W. born in Charlottesville, to Godfrey W. and Frances (Bailey) Updike Sr., moved to Central Florida in 1979 and was a member of First Baptist Church of Central Florida.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Frances Updike of Charlottesville; his wife, Debbie (Colvert) Updike of Orlando, Florida; his sons, Adam Michael, Joshua Gaven, Jacob Scott, and James Eston Updike; his daughters, Rebekah Paige, Abigail Kaytlyn, Deborah Christiane, and Rachel Ann Updike, all of Orlando, Florida; and a brother, Malon Sim of Atlanta, Georgia.
Public visitation will be held from 2:30 until 4 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Central Florida, 700 Good Homes Rd., Orlando, FL 32818, followed by the funeral service at 4 p.m. with Pastor Clayton Cloer officiating.
Interment will be at Winter Garden Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Baptist Church of Central Florida.
Professional Services provided by Dobbs Funeral Home, 430 N. Kirkman Rd., Orlando, FL. 407-578-7720. [email protected]
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 29, 2011
I have no words to express the emptyness I feel.
martha stapler
January 29, 2011
I worked with GW at Harris. He was a good man.
Shirley Ariza
December 20, 2010
I was deeply saddened to hear of G.W.'s passing only yesterday. He was a wonderful Christian husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with Debbie and their children. Their legacy of adoption was his most shining accomplishment.
Geoffrey Taylor
October 7, 2010
I served with (then) Captain Updike in the 82nd Airborne Division. I remember him as a fine officer, and a fine man. I was saddened to hear of his passing at this late date, and my prayers are with him and his family. All The Way, Sir!
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May 15, 2010
Peyton and Gail Brown '69 express their sincere condolences.
May 4, 2010
GW- great friend, great father, teacher and inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know him. His loss cuts us to the quick. Our most sincere condolences. Rick and Mary Rhoades
Joan Ziegler
May 2, 2010
As a fellow Troop 6 Family, we are very sad to know of GW's passing. We know that this is a difficult time for your family. GW was a dedicated faher and husband. We are praying for you that you'll find peace beyond understanding and strength from your faith.
Joan, Scott, Kyle and Brent Ziegler
Ken Houston
May 2, 2010
GW and I were Brother Rats at VMI and he was a good friend of my deceased (KIA in Vietnam 1971) room-mate, Lee Galloway.
GW and I went to Ranger school together.
I shall miss and pray for him.
Frank Novakowski
May 1, 2010
GW was a superb friend, a loyal VMI BR, and fellow Eagle Scout. - I have only the very best memories of him.
Antoinette Basque
May 1, 2010
GW was our sons Eagle advisor we will miss him in our troop.
The service was lovely.
The Basque Family
May 1, 2010
G.W. was a good role model and a he made a difference as he passed through life. We should strive to be the person he was. I will miss him.
Ron Wall
April 30, 2010
A fine man and a grand Brother Rat, GW will be very much missed by all of us in VMI's Class of 1969.
Walt Judd
April 30, 2010
GW's VMI Brother Rats will miss our friend for the ages. We appreciated his wit and intellect and enjoyed talking with him a year ago at our last reunion.
Walt Judd, Class Agent VMI '69
Monica Ferguson
April 29, 2010
The Ferguson family (Miles) sends prayers up for the Updike family. He was a wonderful scout leader and will be deeply missed by the Troop 6 family. May God strengthen you during this period.
The Cox Family
April 29, 2010
GW was an inspiration to all who knew him, and a friend to those who were lucky enough to be in Troop 6 while he continued mentoring our sons. As the obituary states, there is NO QUESTION that GW is in Heaven with our Lord. Thank you GW for being the wonderful, caring person that you are to make our world a better place. May God continue to wrap his mighty arms around the Updike family, and hold them close.
wynne campbell
April 29, 2010
Six years ago, on a hot, humid Summer day, I stood in the middle of a bare field looking at a heap of nylon that was supposedly going to turn into a tent. Noah's and my first ever camping experience in Cub Scouts. GW took us under his wing. With his gentle instruction and encouragement; here we are in Boy Scouts.
GW, I am so very honored to have called you my friend. Noah was blessed to have you in his life. You will forever remain in our hearts.
May Debbie, James, and the family feel the Lord's arms around them and find some comfort in the knowledge that prayers are lifted up for them. Wynne and Noah Campbell
Wade Tingley
April 29, 2010
It was an honor and a privilege to know you GW. Thank you for all you did for Toop 6.
April 29, 2010
We were so blessed to have known G.W. through Troop 6. He was such an inspiration to all of us and a role model we hope all our boys will strive to be themselves one day. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Updike Family. Dianne Armillei, Advancement Committee and Nick Armillei, Life Scout
Howard Hoffman
April 29, 2010
GW was my first boss at Martin Marietta as well as my first mentor. He was a man of integrity and always did the “right” thing – definitely someone to look up to. GW encouraged me to use what I learned to teach others, and I became an adjunct at Florida Southern College with his help. We share the same vision and faith in Christ, so I know that we’ll meet again one day. Until that time, he will be missed.
The Lipinskis
April 29, 2010
GW has left a great legecy in all the lives that he touched. He is in our thoughts and prayers - along with his family.
Kent Anderson
April 29, 2010
I worked with GW for several years by telephone and e-mail. One day in the Fall of 2008, a man that I didn’t recognize walked quickly past my office, and did a quick turn around. GW came into my office and asked if I was involved in Scouting (He had seen a cup with a Scout logo on it). We visited that day for quite awhile, and several times after that when he came to Dallas, or I went to Orlando. He told me about his family, Scouting experiences and gave me some tips about getting onto Wood Badge staff which has been a goal for several years. I will miss his friendship and counsel.
Beth Scovil
April 29, 2010
GW will always have a light burning in our lives for he was a man who touches your heart in such a deep way. We knew him through scouting and we will never foget his smile. He was a wonderful man and our prayers go out to his wife and children.
Susan Best
April 28, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Helen Foster
April 28, 2010
My sons went to Scout Jamboree 2005 at Ft.A.P.Hill with G.W. and had the time of their lives. Thank you for Scouting with us. You are gone too soon.
Kathy LaBar
April 28, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. I have had the pleasure of knowing GW and watching him at camp with the boys and the dedication and pride he had when he talked of his sons and family. He was a great man and will truely be missed by everyone who knew him. May you find comfort in knowing how many people were touched by GW and the difference he made in so many young people's lives. He will live forever in your heart. We will miss him at camp
April 28, 2010
We knew GW from the many training courses taken together in Scouts. Woodbadge was a treat to us working with GW. He will be sorely missed by his scouting family and his family
Don and Cindy Lajoie Brunswick, Ga.
Gautier Family
April 28, 2010
We are so sorry for your loss. May God grant you strength and peace beyond understanding. You are in our payers.
April 28, 2010
I met GW when my son Evan came to Pack 6, four years ago. We struck up a friendship fairly quickly. There were many times that we talked about his old days in the army and my old days in the army, and though these times were separated by fifteen years, but we found we had many things in common, as soldiers are still soldiers no matter when they served. I have the deepest respect possible for GW; he was the person that I hope all the boys in scouting strive to become. I will miss him deeply and he will be in my prayers....Robert Allvord, ASM Troop 6
Mike Peterson
April 28, 2010
I was a student of his at Webster University in Orlando. He was a man I quickly grew to respect and admire.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, he left you entirely too early.
I hope this helps in your time of grief, always remember a part of him will be with all of us that were fortunate enough to have him as a teacher.
April 28, 2010
GW will be missed by many...He was truly loved by everyone...He will be in our hearts forever....Our love and prayers to his family....
Love,
Sandy,John, and family
April 28, 2010
It was our extreme fortune to meet G.W. when he rejoined Troop 6. He brought many gifts to our troop and was always there to inspire the boys. We will miss him. God Bless him and his family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Gregg Anderson, Committee Chair Troop 6, Shawn, Alec and Calvin.
Ernie Barb Brown
April 28, 2010
Updike family,
We are truly sorry for your loss. May God comfort you. Your family is in our prayers.
Ernie & Barb Brown
John Levell
April 28, 2010
GW was a cherished friend from both Lockheed Martin and Boy Scouts (Troop 114). He was an inspiration to us all.
"Gone Home"
April 28, 2010
G.W.-I'll miss those campside chats with you. Brett and I had some nice words to share about you with the boys at our meeting last night. You'll be missed!
Brian Collins
Chaplain
Troop 6
James Herndon
April 28, 2010
I was saddened to learn of GW's passing. He will be missed at Webster. Condolences to the family.
Jeffrey Adam
April 28, 2010
We were blessed to have an angel guide our sons of Troop 6. G.W. will always be remembered for the guidance that he brought to all of us. Rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
Jeffrey Adam, Former Troop 6 Scoutmaster
Suzy Hervey
April 28, 2010
Deborah and family, Aunt Frances, Malon and Barbara,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you but we are all comforted knowing G.W. is with loved ones in Heaven. God Bless you all,
Love, Suzy and Rex
Audrey Fetterhoff
April 28, 2010
G.W. was an incredibly special person in our lives. We met him in 2003 when our son started in CubScouts. The next year G.W. and my husband became co-Den Leaders and continued serving together until our sons crossed over to Boy Scouts in 2009. G.W. lead our son and 11 others in Boy Scout summer camp last year and our boys have the deepest respect for him.
G.W.'s dedication to God, family and Scouts was clear in all he did. He touched so many lives. We will miss him very much!
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,
Scott, Audrey and Aaron Fetterhoff
Adora Avalos
April 28, 2010
G.W. will always be a role model to our Boy Scout sons and family. He was an example to all of us, and his son James a shining example to his father. Our prayers are with you all!
The Avalos Family
The Nye Family
April 28, 2010
GW was a wealth of knowledge in Scouting. He was a wonderful presence at all our scouting functions. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Bill Rees, LTC, USA
April 28, 2010
For Debbie,
I was a long time friend of GW - we served in the 464th Chem Gp . . . he as the Log guy and me as the Adjutant. I recall many things about him, esp. when he came to me one day and said he was going to marry you . . . Yours is such a love-story and he shared many of the early experiences with the 'new family', esp. the uniqueness of have children from different backgrounds and perspectives - some are priceless. May God bless you all in this trying time of loss . . . we will ALL miss him !
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