GODWIN, Fredrick I.

Fredrick I. Godwin, 85, passed away April 2, 2004 after two years of cancer. Fred was born May 19, 1918 in Alton, Illinois. He was the son of W.I. "Red" Godwin and Edith Mather Godwin. He attended Alton Public Schools and graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1940. He worked at the New York World's Fair the summers of 1939 and 1940. At the close of the Fair, he married Frances Rue of Alton, Illinois in the "Little Church Around the Corner" in New York City. Fred joined the Army in December, 1942 and was released from active duty as a Captain in the Ordnance Department in 1946. He returned to the Campus of the University of Illinois where he managed a college bookstore. In 1949 he moved his family to Phoenix. After three years as business manager for the Phoenix Parachute Company, Fred became active in the homebuilding and land development business. He was the manager of Forrest Cox Homebuilders for ten years. He was with Litchfield Park Properties for four years, and retired in 1988 as vice president of Knoell Homes (now Shea Homes). In 1965 Fred served as president of what is now the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances. He is the proud father of four children: Rick of Sacramento, CA, Bob (Judy) of San Jose, CA, Marc of Denver, CO, and Jean (Douglas) Miller of Mesa, AZ, and three grandchildren, Christine Godwin, and Lauren and Reid Miller. Fred was an active volunteer at Church of the Beatitudes for many years. He loved photography and hiking. In his later years, Fred spent many hours hiking the trails of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. He and Frances traveled extensively throughout the world delighting family and friends with slides and stories of their trips. He was always interested in concerts by the Phoenix Symphony, regularly attending each season starting when the young symphony performed at the Phoenix Union High School Auditorium in the 1950's. Another interest was with the Phoenix Zoo. He watched it grow from a small exhibit to the facility and many animals it houses today. Fred was a dedicated, loving husband and father, devoted to his family. He had a delightful sense of humor and a quiet strength that was an inspiration to all who knew and loved him. His life was filled with deep love and meaning - a life lived fully and well. Memorial services were held on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Church of the Beatitudes or Hospice of the Valley, 3238 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Published in the Arizona Republic from 4/4/2004 - 4/5/2004.