Danny "Dan" Joe Godfrey, age 72, of Toccoa, GA, entered heaven on Friday, March 26.  Dan was just 2 ½ lbs at birth on July 5, 1948, given by the Lord to Bessie Lee Champion and James Love Godfrey in Jasper, Georgia.

Today we rejoice in knowing that Dan is forever with Jesus his Savior and Lord who he faithfully served.  Anyone who knew or met Dan sensed his tenderness, love, and genuine concern for them.  He would talk and spend time for hours if that's what you needed and wanted.  He never forced his opinions on anyone.  He only wanted to encourage and build you up.

He loved his Momma, Granny, Granpa, brothers, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins.  He had many great memories of growing up in Tate and Jasper, GA, with a large family of relatives.  He remembered the day he asked Jesus into his heart and life.  His relationship with Jesus grew and grew as he studied his Bible and served at Church.

Dan enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 24, 1967, and went through basic training at Fort Benning, GA.  He was deployed to Vietnam on March 1, 1968, with the 101 ^st Airborne at Ben Hoa. There he was assigned to the 2 ^nd squadron/17 Calvary C-troop Aero-Rifle platoon at Camp Evans.  During his service in Southeast Asia, Dan was awarded the Purple Heart for gunshot wounds to his arm and foot, National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, W/1 Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/1960 Device, Parachutist Badge, and Expert (M-16).  He called his tour in Vietnam his senior class trip:  free food, free clothes, and free travel.  Following his military service, Dan worked for many years at the Postal Service, then Gainesville City School System, Lanier Park Hospital, Ethicon, and the State of Georgia as a Vocational Counselor.  It was while he was in the Army that he taught himself to play guitar and this was a gift he used for the rest of his life to give Glory to God.

In 1983, he married Deborah "Debbie" Jean Hiler Godfrey. Together, for more than 38 years, they served the Lord, and experienced the changing scenes of life in the joyous and fruitful companionship which the Lord had entrusted to them.  Dan loved his girls, Christi and Monica.  He was always calling to check on them or go help and spend time with them.  Then in March 2008, Monica was taken to heaven.  In June 2000, though the abundant mercy and grace of the Lord, Dan was provided a perfect kidney match and transplant from Debbie, his wife.

Dan was a member at Ebenezer Baptist and Liberty Hill Baptist Church where he served as Youth Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Choir member, Praise Team electronic piano strings and guitar player, Praise Team director, Offertory piano/guitar specials player, Passion Play member, Discipleship Training Teacher.  He and his wife opened a counseling private practice where Dan was a Licensed Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Counselor, Personal Counselor, Drug Abuse Counselor, and Supervisor for Counselors seeking their Licensed Professional Counselor license.  Dan was an active member of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 15, Rabun County and an active member of TARS (Toccoa Amateur Radio Society).  Dan was also an animal lover, Mya Baby was his miniature dachshund and Precious the kitten.

Surviving along with his wife Debbie is a daughter and son-in-law: Christina Lynn Godfrey Miller and Bob Miller of Gainesville, GA; brother Jerry and Connie Godfrey of Dallas, GA; nephews, Greg and Susan Godfrey, Colin Godfrey, Brigitte and Gregory Sosebee, Christy and Kip McBride; sister-in-law Charlotte Godfrey, niece Christie Melendrez, Anna, Selina; niece Beth and Eddie Hyde, Sr., Eddie Jr, Elesha; nephew Jamie and Tanya Godfrey, Cole, Jake, Logan; Niece DeAnna and Jim Moore, Benson, Mason; sister-in-law Gola Godfrey; niece Muffin and Tim Gilmer; nephew Jake and Larae Godfrey; brother-in-law Jerry and Phylllis Turner; niece Anita and Fred Wilson, Michael Sheppard, and Kacie Wilson; Aunt Lillie Mae Champion Pendley; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death in addition to his parents, was his father-in-law Tommy Namon "Bill" McDougald; daughter, Monica Suzanne; brother, James Love Godfrey; sister, Shirley Godfrey Holley Turner, Bobby Holley; nephew, Hung duc Nguyen; brother, Donnie Mac Godfrey; uncle, David Champion; uncle, Willis Pendley; uncle, Floyd and Aunt Bea Champion; uncle, George and aunt Frances Champion; and a niece, Elizabeth "Libby" DeShon Hyde.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:13).

Please keep the Dan Godfrey family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net

Whitlock Mortuary was honored to be serving the family of Dan Godfrey.