Obituary of Rex Allen Godfrey

Rex A. Godfrey, born in Akron, Ohio on September 20, 1933, died on July 14, 2015, the Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh O. and Ann K. (née Powers) Godfrey, two daughters, Ellen Neesmith and April DeBacker, and his sister, Sherry (Roger) Roulette. He is survived by one sister, Jerry (John) Brindley of Alabama; eight children, Randy of Washington, Lissa (Randy) Dabbs of New Mexico, Holly (Marc) Nolan of Arizona, Valerie (Cliff) LeBarre-Guild of Florida, Angela (Joe) DeBacker of Florida, Annie (Kyle) Walter of New Franklin, Adam (Julie) of Granville, and Audra (Jon) Fry of Westerville; twenty-six grandchildren, Robin & Lauren; Abraham & Matthew; Richelle, Nick, & Dylan; Jeremy, Ryan, & Dustyn; Jake, Danny, & Erica; Gracie, Alex, Mary Claire, Joey, Tommy, Cecilia, Teresa, Dominic, & Baby Walter #9; Jordyn & Chickpea; and Emerson & Anna, thirteen great-grandchildren, and many other family members and friends. Rex was a hard worker and never did anything halfway. He was self-employed as a patent draftsman and maintained his office in downtown Akron for sixty years. He could draw a square free-hand better than most can with a straight edge and his handwriting was neater than an elementary school teacher's. He was an avid newspaper reader and was the family photographer for years. He learned to fix cars "in a dream" and always kept his cars and his children's running well. Rex put great effort into raising his children, too, and was a wonderful, dutiful father. No one could make better pancakes, and he must have made thousands over the years for his kids and their friends. Rex loved a good meal and was always the last one to leave the table. He loved camping and hiking and instilled an appreciation for nature in all of his children by taking them on countless day trips, bike rides, adventures, and vacations to the beach and to the mountains. Even as his time on this earth grew shorter, he continued hiking almost daily. He was a faithful Catholic and made sure to teach his children the value of the Church. He'd never miss Mass, even if he and his kids had to ride their bikes to church from a campground. Rex was a daredevil, known for petting wild alligators, caged lions, and the occasional bear. In his younger years you could find him scaling mountains in February with an ice ax and scuba diving in unauthorized locations. Most recently he climbed Long's Peak in Colorado at age 75 and was still swinging from vines while hiking in the Valley at age 77. Rex was a prankster, gluing change to his sidewalk out front to see whom he could stop, dressing up at Halloween as a creature, only coming to life when children took too much candy, and driving around with a life-sized orangutan in his front seat to try and scare people. He was a devoted grandfather and his grandchildren were the light of his life. He never missed a birthday or holiday and loved taking his grandkids to softball games, to the splash pads, and on bike rides; he never missed a game or dance recital or play if he could help it. He had advice for everyone and we will surely miss it and all of his fabulous stories. Calling hours will be Sunday, July 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 at Anthony Funeral Home, 1990 S. Main St., Akron. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul Catholic Church, 1580 Brown St., Akron, OH 44301, Fr. Matthew Pfeiffer officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Paul's Parish (the organ fund or the vocations scholarship fund). Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. (Anthony, AKRON, 330-724-1281, anthonyfh.com)