The family of Gene Gaylord Godsy is so sad to announce his passing on November 29, 2022. He was born in Independence, Mo. on February 18, 1931, to Sherman and Dorothy ( Thompson) Godsy. He spent his early childhood in northeast Kansas City, then moved to the west Plaza area. He attended Sweeney Elementary and graduated from Paseo High School in 1948. He was a member of DeMolay while at Paseo. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War era. His last duty station was Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. He began work with AT&T in January 1955. Gene spent the next 36 years working for both AT&T and Southwestern Bell. He loved his job as he rose to become an Engineering Associate. In 1978 he was awarded the Western Electric Engineering Appreciation Citation for an engineering aide he invented called SPEEDI.
He retired December 31, 1990. Gene married Peggy Johnson in 1955 and they had three children, Mike, Cathy, and Mary. They were married 67 years. In 1957 Gene built a new house in Blue Springs when the population was less than 2,000. He loved working on his home and yard, keeping them in top notch shape. He lived there for 65 years until his Lewy Body dementia caused him to move to a memory care facility in early 2022. Gene enjoyed helping his children through Cub Scouts, 4H and powderpuff softball as an umpire. He also did all he could to keep the funding for sheltered workshops in Jackson County. He was appointed to the park board by Elvin Whisler and advocated for more tennis courts in Blue Springs.
Gene was a member of the telephone pioneers and the American Legion. He loved family get togethers and our Chiefs gameday tailgates at home including our punt, pass, and kick competitions in the street. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman Godsy Sr. and Dorothy Godsy Brandmeyer, and his brother Sherman Godsy, Jr. He is survived by his wife Peggy and his daughter Mary Jeanne Godsy, both of the home. He also leaves his other daughter, Cathy Tepper (Brian) of Lee’s Summit and his son Mike Godsy (Sheryl) of Liberty. In addition, he leaves his grandchildren Meghan Godsy, Kansas City; Tyler Godsy (Erin), Blue Springs; Michael P. Godsy (Rae) Independence; Katie Tepper Lin (Hao), Lee’s Summit; and Kelly Tepper Harbison (Stephen), Canton, Mich. Also left behind is his great-grandson Charlie Lin, Lee’s Summit. His family will receive family and friends from 10 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Meyers Funeral Chapel, 1600 W. Main St, Blue Springs. Memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. at the chapel.
Inurnment with military honors will follow at Blue Springs Cemetery in Blue Springs. In lieu of flowers we suggest donations to St. John La Lande-St. Vincent DePaul Society Food Pantry, 805 NW R.D. Mize Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Memories of Gene and words of comfort for his family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.