Robert "Andy" Andrew Godby

Andy Godby, 62, of New River, Arizona, passed peacefully on July 9, 2025 at the Hospice of the Valley Sherman House from end stage liver disease. He was born February 24th, 1963 to John and Jan Godby, where he grew up on a Century farm in Earlham, Iowa as the second of four children.

Andy lived a rich, complex, and adventurous life that left a lasting impression on all who knew him. Life took him many places and he lived in Iowa, Kentucky, Virginia, Arizona, and Hawaii to name a few...

Throughout his life, Andy was a man of many talents and careers-most notably serving others as a chaplain in a hospital and for inmates on death row, an elementary and high school special education teacher, and CDL driver delivering concrete, food, and water. In 2023, he completed a 25-year project of publishing his experience as a chaplain in his novel "Lessons from the Row". Afterwards, he found he loved writing and continued that new found passion with additions to his memoir and a new fictional series starting with "View from the Back Row". His books "Lessons from the Row" and "View from the Back Row" are available on Amazon.

He held a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and a master's degree in Christian Education. Inspired by his parents, he held strong value in education and training especially in support to his wife's and children's higher learning pursuits.

To many people, he was an enigma-private, often misunderstood, yet deeply thoughtful and full of wit. He carried his unique intellect and quiet wisdom wherever he went. Known for his dry sarcasm and independent spirit, Andy lived life on his own terms. He had a love for thrill and freedom, enjoying skydiving and scuba diving in his 40s, singing karaoke in his 50s to present, and riding his motorcycle on back roads across the United States and Canada. In his 20s, he discovered taekwondo and earned a 2nd degree black belt with the American Taekwondo Association. In quieter moments, he enjoyed sitting in the sun reading and writing.

Andy is survived by his former wife of 25 years, Kate Godby; his daughter, Amy Ledford, and granddaughter, Stella Ledford; his son, Joshua Godby, and daughter-in-law, Chelsea Godby; his brother, Mike Godby, and sister-in-law, Michele Godby; his sister, Susan Barnabo; his mother, Jan Godby; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved him deeply. He was preceded in death by his father John Godby, brother Steve Godby, and brother-in-law Tom Barnabo.

A celebration of life and family reunion will be held the weekend of October 17-20, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. A local celebration of life will be held in January 2026 when his snowbird friends return to New River, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, in memory donations can be made to the Girl Scout Colonial Coast Council "She Believes She Can, So She Does" Scholarship. This scholarship was inspired by Andy's wife Kate and daughter Amy, and intends to provide support to girls pursuing higher education opportunities to include vocational training and undergraduate education. To donate, please see: https://www.gsccc.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/highest-awards/scholarships.html.