Friday, March 18, 2005
Tharo Belton "Bud" Godfrey
Tharo Belton "Bud" Godfrey, son of the late D.G. and Norah Ethel Atkinson Godfrey, died on March 17 at Rutherford County Hospital. He was 83 years old. The family will meet with friends at a viewing to be held on March 19, 2005 at 12:30 PM at Prospect Baptist Church on Prospect Church Road. Services will be held at 3:00 PM with Rev. Ernie Cole officiating, followed by interment at Rutherford County Cemetery with Military Honors.
Born in Rutherford County, Mr. Godfrey served in the 13th Field Artillery Observation Battalion attached to the VII Corps Artillery during World War II. Except for a ten day rest period, Mr. Godfrey was continuously in action from 10 June 1944, through 27 April 1945, serving at Utah Beach, Cherbourg, St. Mere Eglise, the Ardennes, and parts of Germany. He participated in the breach of the Siegfried Line, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of the Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp in Nordhausen, earning a battlefield commission and the Bronze Star.
Upon his discharge, Mr. Godfrey owned and operated T.B. Godfrey Finance Company in Gaffney, SC, until he became a civilian Systems Analyst for the Air Force. During his employment with the US Air Force, he worked at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia and at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio. He was married to the former Myrtle Elizabeth Collins from 1941 until her death in 1997. They retired to their childhood state in 1976.
Mr. Godfrey is survived by his wife Faye and step-daughter Karen Green. His children Paul and Betty Godfrey of Flowery Branch, Georgia and their daughters Shelli and Kristin; Phil and Mary Godfrey Pollock of Lumberton, New Jersey and her daughter Shannon De Vega; Lee and Sandy Dimon Godfrey of Milledgeville, Georgia and their children Lee and Mary-Elizabeth, and six great-grandchildren.
In addition he leaves four sisters, Ila Price, Ruth McDaniels, Cathren Baber and Myriel Horton.
McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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