John Murry Godwin

John Murry Godwin, 76, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 29, 2023, with family by his side. John will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024 at Saylorville Church where the family will greet friends one hour prior to services. 

John was born on March 20, 1947 to Donald and Marjorie (Vansice) Godwin in Des Moines, Iowa.  He grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Saydel High School in 1965.  After graduation he enlisted in the US Army, during his time in the service he spent 18 months in Ethiopia which had a great impact on his life.  On June 7, 1975 he was united in marriage to Donna Marquis.  In November of 1975 God moved John and his family to Saylorville, IA, across the street from Saylorville Church.  In January of 1976 they started attending church there.  That move shaped their lives, through that church, John gave his life to Christ.  They were able to learn and grow in Christ because of the teaching and examples.  They found friends for life that helped them with the journey through life.  If you do the math, that is 48 years!  There have been ups and downs, good times and trials but through it all God has been faithful.

John was a car guy, one of his greatest pleasures was driving his 1947 Dodge business coupe, license plate GODSROD.  Going to car shows all over with friends and family was important to him.  He missed it when he was no longer able to do it.

Racing was also a happy time.  Going to NASCAR races in Kansas City, or the Chili Bowl in Tulsa or having season tickets at Newton Speedway was time well spent to him.  Many of those times were spent with the best friends ever, Bob and Barb Steen.  There was much time and adventures spent in the motor home, oh the memories that were made!

Those things gave him joy but not the joy he got from his grandchildren.  It didn’t make any difference if it was watching them sing, dance, playing an instrument or all the sport they were in, grandpa would be there.  John was a good father but he was a terrific grandfather.  It shows in the relationships that he has with each one of his grandkids.  It was important to him that he be remembered as a grandpa that loved God.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Godwin of Des Moines, IA; daughter, Jennifer (Mark) Tylavsky of Des Moines, IA; son, Adam (Bridget) Godwin of Des Moines, IA; seven grandchildren: Katherine Tylavsky, Caleb Tylavsky, Clara Tylavsky, Carsten Tylavsky, Gavin Godwin, Grady Godwin and Gretta Godwin, brother; Donald (Mary) Godwin of Des Moines, IA; sister; Loretta McCabe of Ankeny, IA; brother; Jim Godwin of Pine Bluff, AR; brother; Dennis Godwin of Des Moines, many nieces and nephews, and his sister in law Anna Vance of Altoona, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack Godwin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family and will be used for multiple organizations, one of which was close to John’s heart in Ethiopia.

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