Brian Wayne Godfrey passed away 17 November, 2009, at the VA Medical Center in Fort Meade, SD. Brian was born to Jerry and Joyce (Dobson) Godfrey at Naval Air Station China Lake, CA on May 25, 1959. The family returned to Rapid City in September of 1959. Brian grew up attending school in Rapid City where he graduated from Rapid City Central. He was active in the school band; one of his major highlights was traveling with the band to Europe in 1975. After graduation in 1977, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served for the next four years as a Sonarman. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Brian returned to Wyoming and went to work for Glover Water Service and Neiman Sawmill. It was there that he met and married Twila Parish on August 31, 1984 in Deadwood, SD. They moved to Upton, WY, where he worked for 17 years for American Colloid until they closed. He then went to work for Peabody Mining at the North Antelope/Rochelle Mine near Wright, WY, until illness forced him to resign.
Brian enjoyed the outdoors where his hobbies consisted of rock and arrowhead hunting, four-wheeling, cross-country skiing, and gold panning. Most importantly he also enjoyed visiting with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Twila; sons, Chad Cahoy and Casey Godfrey; and daughter Darci (Cahoy) Tidwell. Also surviving him are his parents, Jerry & Joyce Godfrey; brother Greg (Cheri) Godfrey; and sisters, Lori (Jim) Tripp and Lisa (Donn) Burgess as well as grandchildren Camile and Caden Cahoy; and Brooklyn Tidwell; and nieces and nephews Jason, Nathan and Rebeckah Tripp and Leslie Godfrey. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be 1:00pm Sunday, November 22, 2009, at the Boal Auditorium in Upton, WY, with Pastor Troy Heidt officiating. A private family inurnment will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. In Lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Fort Meade VA Hospice Care Unit.