Gehrig Norman Godley Obituary (1942

Gehrig Godley Gehrig Norman Godley, born November 13th, 1942 to the late Willie Belle "Billie" Godley and Lon Jackson Godley, died April 4, 2008 at his home in Hardesty, Oklahoma. Gehrig was a world-class Aerospace engineer, avid tall-tale teller, and master prankster. He graduated from Hardesty High School and attended Panhandle A & M College and Crowder College where he was inducted into the Honors Fraternity Phi Theta Kappa. Having been born on an Air Force Base during World War Two, he grew up fascinated with airplanes and military strategy, and was destined to enter the aerospace industry and the military. He began a dynamic engineering career as a machinist for Speery Vickers in Missouri. As his engineering skills and knowledge grew he became an internationally respected engineer. His passion for the aerospace industry made him a valuable asset to aerospace and gear companies such as Teledyne, Borg-Warner, and Aero Jet Gear where he was a Chief Operations Officer over Manufacturing. Gehrig served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War. After Vietnam, Gehrig continued his National Guard Service. In 1975 he was awarded the St. Louis Globe Outstanding Achievement Award for his heroic personal efforts on behalf of the community after tornadoes devastated Neosho, MO. He often looked back fondly on the fun he had racing, and sometimes wrecking, stock cars with a pit crew comprised of his brothers-in-law and friends. While residing in Missouri, he became a 32nd Degree Mason and was active in the Shrine. He was a life-long student of military strategy and world history. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, telling tall tales, and playing practical jokes on friends and family. He is survived by one daughter, Shonda Godley, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, a sister, Iris Lamanna, of California, a niece and nephew of California, and numerous cousins, and aunts. Cremation arrangements were handled by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors. Visitation will be on Thursday evening, April10th, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Henson-Novak Funeral Home, 501 NW Fifth, Guymon, Oklahoma. No other services are scheduled. Sign the online guest book at www.hensonnovak.com.