IN MEMORY OF TOM GODFREY
Thomas 'Tom' J. Godfrey, 68, of Superior, formerly of West Duluth, died Sunday May 11, 2008 in St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth. He was born in Duluth to William and Clara Godfrey on March 19, 1940. He had attended St. James School and had graduated from Denfeld High School. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December of 1959. He received indoctrination and technical training at Naval Training Center, San Diego, Calif., attended naval Submarine School in New London, Conn., and was subsequently assigned to USS Becuna (SS 319). Lieutenant Commander Godfrey graduated from Nuclear Power School and served as Nuclear Engineering Plant Instructor at the General Electric Training Unit in Schenectady, N.Y. In January 1966 he was assigned to the Submarine USS M.G. Vallejo (SSBN 658). He then returned to the General Electric Training Unit to become the Leading Nuclear Propulsion Plant Instructor. In July 1970 Lieutenant Commander Godfrey reported to the USS L.Y. Spear (AS 36). Following a three year tour as Quality Assurance Officer, and Radiological Officer he was assigned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard as Nuclear Submarine Repair Officer. In April 1976 he reported to the Submarine Tender USS Proteus (AS 19) in Guam, for duty as Production Officer and Assistant Repair Officer. He served as Nuclear Ship Superintendent at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., for USS Long Beach (CGN) and in May 1979 he was assigned to Commander Submarine Squadron Eighteen in Charleston, S.C. as Extended Refit Program Superintendent. Lieutenant Commander Godfrey served as Executive Officer of Naval Submarine Base San Diego through December of 1982 and assumed command of Naval Reserve Center Duluth in January 1983. He served as Lieutenant Commander of the Submarine Warfare School in Bange, Wash., from 1985-1990. Lieutenant Commander Godfrey's qualifications include: Submarine Warfare Officer; Surface Warfare Officer; and Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator. He is entitled to wear the navy Commendation Medal (three awards); Navy Achievement Medal (two awards); Good Conduct Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal and the National Defense Medal in addition to other service decorations. He had married Claudia Jacobs in 1994. Thomas was a member of Holy Assumption Catholic Church, the West End VFW, and West Duluth American Legion, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and was currently the President of the Duluth/Superior Radio Control Club. He had also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Annette in 1990; son, Richard in 1995; sisters, Katherine Godfrey in 2006, Carol Ann Godfrey in 1976, infant sisters Mary in 1941, Margarite in 1942, and Alice in 1946. Tom is survived by his wife, Claudia; daughter, Debra Godfrey of Wildwood, Ga.; brother, Michael Godfrey of Duluth; sisters, Mary Ann (Gordy) Allar of Garden Ridge, Texas, Joanne (Timothy) Carroll of Duluth, Peggy Overbie of Sadona, Ariz., Alice (Daryle Warner) Thompson of Saginaw, and Julie Godfrey of Duluth; mother-in-law, Bernice Jacobs of Duluth; many nieces, nephews and cousins, and his beloved dog Ben.