James L. Godfrey

James L. Godfrey, 83, of Sioux City passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at his home surrounded by family.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Halaas will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Jim was born on Feb. 7, 1932, in Washta, Iowa, the son of Leonard and Azalia (Clark) Godfrey. He moved to the Morningside area of Sioux City as a child, where he attended public schools. Jim was a graduate of the East High School class of 1951 and thereafter attended Morningside College studying art.
On Sept. 12, 1959, he married Kay Talsma. He made his profession as a skilled printer until his retirement.
Jim was a peaceful, gentle and caring man. He was born and later married into a large family he loved immensely. Jim was a talented artist, often using ink from his printing presses to create beautiful paintings. He enjoyed time with his daughter on her family's acreage tending to animals, gardening, and attending his grandson's activities. Jim was a lifelong East High Black Raider fan, often bundled up with his family watching football or eating popcorn at a basketball game. He also loved the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a progressive who believed in helping his neighbors and community and in accepting all people. Jim bravely battled and overcame the many obstacles of Parkinson's for more than a decade.
Jim is survived by his wife of more than 55 years; daughter, Jayme Webb and her husband, Ken of Moville, Iowa; son, Chris and his partner, Sean of Washington, D.C.; grandson, Jacob Webb; sister, Dorothy Amick; brother, Dale (Janet); brother, Dwight (Mary Lou); brother, Delano Sutton (Helen); brother, Clark (Mary); brother, Max (Sharon); brother, Lanny (Karon); sister, Judy Utesch (Rick); brother, Edward (Connie); brother-in-law, Cordell Hull; sister-in-law, Julia Verdoorn; and many of his extended family.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert and Robert's wife, Audrey; his brother-in-law, Edward Amick; and several others in his extended family.
Jim and his family are thankful to his caregivers at PACE who allowed him to work there, making friends and happy memories over the past year and allowing him to be home for his final days.