Jerry Wayne Godwin

Jerry Wayne Godwin, 72, of Lillington, NC passed away Thursday October 14, 2021, at the VA Medical Center in Durham, NC.
 
He was born June 15, 1949, in Dunn, NC to the late Velma Core Godwin and William Sion Godwin. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Jernigan; and two brothers, William Howard “Bill” Godwin and Gary Tootsie Godwin.
 
Jerry served his country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He would go on to pursue a career as an environmental engineer with the State of NC, DENR and Carolina Power and Light.
 
Jerry loved gardening and enjoyed spending time on his tractor growing the best veggies in Harnett County. One of Jerry’s greatest passions was playing music whether it be playing on his own, with Terri, or around a campfire with a group of friends at one of the many festivals they traveled to across the country. He loved to play golf and you could often find him at one of the local courses around town. Jerry Wayne loved a good dirt country road whether in the county or in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, his favorite state to explore. 
 
One of Jerry’s greatest gifts to all who knew him was to show how to live life to the fullest, even while living with non Hodgkin's Lymphoma the last 15 years. He played the cancer card only when playing poker! In the last few weeks, prior to his death, Jerry was out camping, hiking with family and his hound Maggie Mae, and doing donuts on his new mower with the biggest grin. Being a father to his beloved daughter, Rachel was his greatest joy. 
 
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Terri Weller Godwin; his daughter, Rachel Laurel Godwin Smith, and husband James Smith; his sisters, Glenda Smith, Shelby Porter, Margie Godwin, Lorraine Johnson, and Teresa Baker; his brothers, George Godwin, Jimmie Godwin, Sr., and Donald Godwin; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

"In spite of ourselves, we'll end up a'sittin' on a rainbow, against all odds, Honey, we're the Big Door Prize"  John Prine
 

A memorial service to celebrate Jerry Wayne’s life will be held at a later date.  The family requests no food or flowers. Instead please send Terri your favorite memories and stories to share later at the celebration.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jerry Wayne Godwin, please visit our Tree Store.