Benny "Gene" Godwin

Benny Gene Godwin, 83, of Canal Winchester passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on September 19, 2024. "Gene" was born on September 18, 1941, in Olive Branch, N.C., the sixth of eight children, to the late James Arthur "Jose" Godwin and Kate Tarlton. He grew up on a cotton farm, picking cotton with his seven siblings. In his later years, he was known to say, "I sure hope there's no cotton in heaven!" Gene started working at nine years old at the Wagon Wheel restaurant in Marshville, N.C. He made his way to Ohio as a teenager and was married to Linda Lee on January 11, 1959. Their family grew to include six children and along the way he and Linda were also foster parents to many others. Gene's work and career life included restaurant management at Howard Johnson's, owner/proprietor of Livingston Furniture, and assistant department manager at Kroger (for twenty-three years). His communication and business skills were known to all and apparent in his day-to-day interactions with others. Gene loved exploring new places, finding a little "hole in the wall" diner, camping, fishing, and traveling with his family. At one time he bought a van, packed everyone in, and took off for a month-long trek across the U.S. with his wife and kids. Gene was a "Mustang" person and through his lifetime acquired many "1966" classics, but most of all, Gene will be remembered for his devotion, guidance, and love for his family. Gene was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Scott Godwin, his parents, Jose and Kate, his six siblings: Rachel (Smith)Whitley, James "Jim" Godwin, Cullie Godwin, Billy (Betty Jean) Godwin, Bobby Godwin, and Larry Godwin. He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Linda Godwin, his children; Cheri (Guy) Gray, Gina Godwin-Burris, Cindy (Rex) Noble, Lisa (Mike) Brandly, Todd (Elisa) Godwin, Keela (Shawn) Vaughan, daughter-in-law, Tina Godwin, his grandchildren, Greg, Katie, Joni, Brittany, Daniel, Jared, Baylee, Adam, Dustin, Ben, Magen, Troy, Laura, Mark, Jessica, Jeremy, Maranda, Kayla and Addison, thirty-eight great-grandchildren, his brother, Doug (Linda) Godwin, sisters-in-law: Bonnie Godwin, Judy Godwin, Luann Smith and numerous nieces and nephews. Gene instilled a love and commitment to family, service and kindness to others and a strong work ethic that will be carried on as a part of his legacy. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Hoskinson Funeral Home, 285 E. Main Street Kirkersville, Ohio, where visitation will be from 11:00 am-1:00 pm Wednesday. Burial Kikersville Cemetery.