Rick Godfrey, Sr.

Rick Godfrey, Sr., 68, of Fort Valley, Georgia, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022, after a short illness.  A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 11:00AM at the Barn at Sardis-Heard, with the Reverend Steve Johnson officiating.  The family will greet friends Monday, December 5, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Barn at Sardis-Heard.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother and father, Rufus Sammy and Sybil Elizabeth Poss Godfrey; Son, Jeffery Chad Godfrey; and brother, Thomas Raymond Godfrey.  He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Susan Bilow Godfrey; son, Rick Godfrey, Jr. (India); grandchildren, Macy Cofer (Kevin), Landon Godfrey, Dillan Godfrey (Trinity), Lauren Godfrey, Peyton Godfrey, Zack Godfrey, and Michael Godfrey; great-grandchildren, Nolan and Kaleb Cofer, Landon Chad Godfrey, Jr., and Abigail Godfrey; brothers, Tim Godfrey and Sammy Godfrey, Jr.; sister, Diane Davis; sisters-in-law, Brenda “Boom Boom” Bilow and Rhonda Godfrey; brother from another mother, Tim Bilow (Lori); brother-in-law, Mike Mobley;  The World’s Best Aunt, Johnnie Moxley (J.L.); a host of nieces and nephews, including Favorite Nephew, Shannon Bilow; and his hunting buddy, Tom Brantley.

Rick was born in Macon Georgia. At a very early age, he hunted rabbits with his father and was introduced to deer hunting by his Uncle J.L. Moxley. Buck fever struck him and drove a lifelong love for teaching all his sons, grandsons, nephews, and anyone else who was interested how to hunt and fish. Rick was a skilled outdoorsman with a natural instinct for scouting game.  He was a great shot, even under pressure. When the dogs were pushing a rabbit speeding at 65 miles an hour through a peach orchard, it was all over but the cleaning of the rabbit. Rick taught many people how to fish and his friends and family knew that they could always come to Lake Deerwood and catch fish and have a great time.

With his sons, Rick and Chad, and the love of his life, Susan Bilow, whom he swept off her feet in January of 1981, he went from “the hood” to Lake Deerwood! One of his greatest achievements was working to buy land and building his dream home. He loved sitting on his deck looking at the sunset over his 18-acre lake with a Marlboro in his hand.

As much as Rick loved the outdoors, hunting, and fishing, it paled in comparison to the love he had for his family.  Rick was a fighter and when the odds were against him after his first marriage and it was assumed the kids stayed with the Momma, well, Rick never took no for an answer. He got his bulldawg named Susan Godfrey and they fought ferociously. Within a couple of years, he had custody of Rick and Chad and that changed their lives forever.  If there are any fathers reading this who are fighting for custody of their children, never quit, never give up, and remember, it’s amazing what can happen in a few short years!

Rick always supported his sons, and later, his grandsons and granddaughters in every endeavor.  Whether he was coaching little league football or baseball, on the sidelines watching cheerleading or basketball or even working the “night crew” on Little Rick’s competition barbeque team, there was no doubt that Rick was always in their corner.  He was not a sentimental person, but he had a knack for offering just the right advice when it was needed most.  As his oldest grandson, Landon, said, “He taught me everything I know.  Everything”.

Rick also had great love and admiration for anyone who had the last name Bilow because of their outpouring of love that is second to none.

Rick Godfrey, Sr. was the textbook definition of a fighter, but he had a heart as big as the Atlantic, and he had enough love to “float a battleship around”. Rick is leaving this game one step ahead of you, and you will not hear him cry because he doesn’t sing the blues!

The family asks everyone who would like to attend this celebration of life to come in hunting clothes, fishing clothes, or whatever you would wear if you came to his house to swim. Please dress casually because the Great White Deer Hunter will be wearing his hunting attire.  Also, any person with the last name Bilow, please set your clocks 30 minutes early. Keep in mind, you measure a man by the roots he leaves behind! Rick Godfrey, Sr. has roots in place that will last from generation to generation!

Sardis-Heard Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6125 Houston Road, Macon, Georgia, 31216, has charge of the arrangements.