Larry Lee Godshall

1940 - 2025

Larry Lee Godshall

July 7, 1940 - September 22, 2025

Larry Lee Godshall was born in Ephrata, Pa. on July 7, 1940 to Nicholas and Blanche (Graber) Godshall. Larry joined his older sister Shirley in a blue collar household. Larry's young years found him spending much time at the Ephrata Community Center where his athleticism and good nature earned him many friends. As a young teenager he started a neighborhood newspaper, serving as the editor-in-chief reporting on the events of his neighborhood. Though the paper was short lived, his instincts for reporting would return later in life. As his father moved up the ranks at GH Moyers, a clothing manufacturer in Ephrata, Larry worked in the plant and learned the value of hard work, diligence and honesty. He excelled on the fields of athletic competition earning varsity letters at Ephrata High School, in baseball, basketball and football. He was a proud member of the undefeated Mountaineer's conference football championship team in 1956. Upon graduation Larry enrolled at Lebanon Valley College where he joined the football team as a tight end/wide receiver of the 1961 Middle Atlantic Southern Championship Football Team which was recognized by the LVC Hall of Fame Committee as a "Team of Honor" in 2011. Rounding out his athletic career at LVC, the following year he won the inaugural John Zola award. Named after an LVC tailback who died after sustaining fatal injuries while competing on the gridiron during that 1961 championship season, this annual award is given to the LVC football player who "plays with the heart, courage, and determination displayed by John Zola". Larry also sang in a doo-wop group named "The Legends", comprised of members of the football team.

Upon graduation from LVC in 1962, Larry earned his teaching certificate from Shippensburg University and embarked upon a career teaching at Big Spring Senior High School. Initially hired as a teacher in the English Department in 1963, Larry soon settled into the Social Studies/History department where he became a mainstay for over thirty years, serving as Department Head for many of those years, retiring in 1993. While thousands of students moved through his classrooms during his tenure, his greatest influence on the students of Big Spring High was likely on the field of athletic competition where he served as a coach for baseball, football, and both boys and girls basketball. Larry lived the characteristics of "heart, courage, and determination" as expressed through athletic competition, and in life, earning the sobriquet "Coach". Larry also coached the offensive backfield for the Dickinson Red Devils football team in 1977 and 1978.

Larry never strayed far from the field or the hardwood even in his retirement years. Larry served as a PIAA basketball referee and a track and field official where he was part of the team which operated the Fully Automatic Timing systems for the Pennsylvania High School State Track and Field championships for over thirty years. When not supporting a Big Spring Team by running the clock, taking stats, or manning the ticket booth at football games, one could always find him in the press box at the top of the bleachers. He enjoyed covering the Bulldog teams for the Shippensburg News-Chronicle and the Valley Times Star newspapers, returning to his childhood love of journalism. Additionally, Larry loved watching his beloved Eagles, Phillies, and Sixers which gave him endless joy and frustration through the years.

Larry met the love of his life, Karen (Bauer), at the time a nursing student at Lancaster General Hospital, in 1963 on a blind double date orchestrated by his best high school chum. Larry and Karen married in 1964 and moved to Newville. A son, Bradlee Craig, was born in 1966 followed by a daughter, Jennifer Kristi (Whitlock) in 1970. Their union endured for 56 years until Karen was called to Jesus in 2020. Larry joined his beloved on September 22, 2025 at the age of 85 following a protracted battle with multiple conditions which ended in organ failure.

Larry is survived by son, Bradlee Craig Godshall, Chula Vista, Calif., wife, Cecilia (Gomezllanos); granddaughter, Samantha Riley, and grandson, Jacob Reid; and daughter, Jennifer Kristi Whitlock, Mechanicsburg, husband, John Bradley Whitlock; granddaughter, Karlee Amanda and, grandson, Trevor James. Larry was predeceased by wife, Karen Nelson (Bauer) Godshall; father, Nicholas Godshall; mother, Blanche Zerbe; and sister, Shirley (Godshall) Stroup.

A visitation will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Egger Funeral Home Inc., 15 W. Big Spring Ave., Newville, PA 17241. A graveside service will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Newville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Lebanon Valley College general scholarship fund, www.lvc.edu or the Bulldog Education Foundation, P.O. Box 351, Newville, PA 17241.

Go Birds!