Bobby Joe Godwin

Bobby Godwin Obituary
Bobby Joe Godwin, age 84 of Marion, passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 2024 at Marion General Hospital.
Bobby was born on September 9, 1939 to the late James and Kate (Tarleton) Arthur Godwin in Marshville, North Carolina. They lived on a farm where Kate was a homemaker and dad was a farmer and carpenter. Bobby was one of eight children.
In the Arthur household, money was tight so if you wanted something you worked for it. All of the children were taught good work ethics. Bobby always looked for odd jobs, like mowing grass and hopping curb for a restaurant, hoping for tips. He quit school at age 16 looking for a job at a gas station or anything else. Using his mom's car, Bobby went to Charlotte, North Caroling, the "big city". While there, a friend of his gave him the name of girl he worked with, Bonnie Flanagan. They went on a "blind date". After brief times together, he decided he wanted to get married. On April 28, 1956, he married Bonnie Flanagan. He knew then he really needed to work. He went from gas station to Sealtest Dairy to Wrights Dry Cleaners to Bost Electric in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 1958, Bobby began working at the Postal Service doing various jobs in the office. In 1970, he signed up for Postal Inspector job and moved to Akron, Ohio. In 1975, he moved to Chicago, Illinois briefly and then back to Akron, Ohio in 1976. He decided it was time for a change and signed up to be a Postmaster in Marion, Ohio. After about five years, he took early retirement and then opened a furniture store in downtown Marion. He leased a small space to start B&B Furniture Store. After a couple of years, he was approached by the owner of the entire building block about buying the building because the owner wanted to sell it. He made the purchase and took the large space for the furniture store and leased out the other spaces. The post office where he worked as the Postmaster moved from downtown but still needed an office in the downtown area. Bobby became manager of Contract Station. After four years, the city approached Bobby and Bonnie about buying the property. Then, they made a decision to sell the property. After a brief retirement, he worked for News America putting in advertisements and coupons in various stores. After four years, he finally retired.
Bobby was always a fixer; always willing to help with electrical, plumbing, carpentry and computer work. His hobbies were mostly "fixing things" because he always seemed to enjoy learning how things worked. He loved to talk on his CB Radio with his handle being: KCI1003. He played golf when time permitted. He took flying lessons in Chicago in a Cessna airplane but never got his pilot license. He enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren. Bobby did some crazy things.
Bobby and Bonnie recently joined the Richland Road Church of Christ. They felt really connected there. They were really loved and had people praying for them. It was a bit of a struggle in the process but has a good ending for they knew God was with them. Bobby became a believer in God, willing and wanting to serve God. On April 28, 2023, Bobby and Bonnie celebrated 67 years of marriage. They had a few "ups and downs" along the way, but God was always with them.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; James "Jose" and Kate Godwin; his sister, Rachel Whitley; and his brothers: James Godwin, Billy Godwin, Cullie Godwin, Bobby Godwin, and Larry Godwin.
Those who will cherish Bobby's memory include his wife of 67 years, Bonnie Godwin of Marion, Ohio; his daughters: Donna (Michael) Scianna of Canton, Ohio and Patty (Paul) Galyk of Marion, Ohio; his brothers: Gene (Linda) Godwin of Canal Winchester, Ohio and Doug (Linda) Godwin of Bucyrus, Ohio; his sister-in-law, Judy Godwin of Marysville, Ohio; his five grandchildren; Jonathan (Alison) Ulichney, Abbey (Tim) Medley, Torey (Eric) Cunningham, Ashley (Hank) Widrig and Kyle (Kari) Galyk; and his eight great grandchildren.
Friends and family may come to honor Bobby's life from 11am to 1pm on Friday, January 12, 2023 at Richland Road Church of Christ, 535 Richland Road, Marion, Ohio 43302. A funeral service will follow starting at 1pm at the church with Russell Howard officiating. A burial will follow the funeral service at Marion Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Richland Road Church of Christ. The Boyd Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Godwin family.
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