Lamar Godwin's Obituary
On Saturday October 5th, 2013, Lamar Wardie Godwin passed away due to health complications related to lung cancer and heart failure.
A long-time resident of Lakewood, WA, Lamar was well known to many individuals in the Lakewood area who frequented his barber shop, located for many years on Steilacoom Blvd., adjacent to Burs Restaurant. Prior to this location, he had a shop on Bridgeport Way, and initially he worked as a barber/stylist in the former Villa Plaza Shopping Center.
Lamar was born February 1st, 1927 in Tyler, AL. He had 3 sisters, Helen Sheffield and Betty Duke and the late Frances Louise, all of Alabama. The loss of Lamar's mother when he was four years old resulted in numerous step-siblings from his father's remarriage, including Thomas Godwin, Jack Godwin, Richard Godwin, Durant Godwin, the late David Godwin, and others. At the age of 12, Lamar moved to Winter Haven, FL, and he lived with family friends, the late Mae and Lacey Taylor. The memories he shared regarding this time in his life were full of adventure and special friendships.
He graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1945, and soon after he joined the Army and then enlisted in the Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and was an air traffic controller until his retirement in 1967. The military experience offered him an opportunity to travel to places such as Morocco, Japan, Korea, Germany, and many others. In 1960, while stationed at McChord AFB, Lamar met his wife, Leona Ann Pratt of Tacoma. They married in 1961, and together they raised two girls, Brenda Haynes of Gig Harbor, WA, and their daughter Beverly Howe, of Washington, DC. Lamar's marriage to Leona (Lee) also brought her daughter Penny Roggenkamp of Enumclaw, WA, and sons William VanWell of Tacoma, WA, and Larry Corvari of Seattle, WA, into Lamar's life. To date, Lamar is survived by 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Lamar was always active, and had many hobbies that included competitive roller-skating of which he was a Regional Champion in the 1970's with his skating partner, the late Lillian Morgan. He loved college football, especially the WSU Cougars. Sports cars were also a hobby, and Lamar owned some classic ones over the years. He enjoyed music, cooking, nice clothes, sunshine, and landscaping his yard, which was always manicured and resembled a golf course. Lamar also loved ballroom dancing, which he actively participated in with his wife Lee until she passed away in 1998. Since that time, Lamar established a daily routine that included various stops to places such as Burs for coffee and pull-tabs, IHOP for pancakes, or Denny's for a Senior Grand Slam, Round Table Pizza for a salad, and occasionally the Oak Tree if he was tired of coffee at Burs! For all those who waited on him and heard "ice water with lemon, no seeds", or "heat up the cup before you pour in the coffee" we sincerely thank you. He was often lonely, and the small talk, joking around and developing friendships meant more to him than any of us will ever know.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be planned and advertised at a later date. In lieu of sending flowers or cards, the family requests that everyone who knew him take 5 minutes to "pay-it-forward" and, in memory of Lamar, do something to let someone know they are special to you. We are grieving the loss of this father and friend, but we also believe that he is smiling, joking around and dancing again! Lamar's wishes were to be cremated, and arrangements have been made with Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood.
Remembrances may be shared on the TRIBUTE WALL
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