Enrique "Henry" Godina
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Enrique "Henry" Godina
March 2, 1938 - April 18, 2016
Master Sergeant Enrique
“Henry” V. Godina, 78, of Lumberton, beloved
husband, loving father and grandfather, passed away peacefully after a short
illness, surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for, and truly loved -
his children, on Monday, April 18, 2016, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast
Texas, Beaumont. He
was born on March 2, 1938, in Canitas, Mexico, to Francisca Varela Godina and
Jesus Godina, and was a longtime resident of Beaumont.
At an early age, Henry’s parents migrated and
settled in the “Valley of Texas”, Harlingen, Texas. Because of his family’s
financial hardships, he joined the United States Air Force at the age of
seventeen, and shortly thereafter transferred to the United States Army, where
he trained in the Airborne Division, which later was to become his life long
career.
While on leave, Henry went to a dance in Port
Arthur with some friends and met his lifelong love, Marcie. They would start a
home in Beaumont and fill it with children.
Knowing that he needed more of an education to move
up; he went to Lamar Institute of Technology and received his Associate’s
degree. From then on Henry understood the value of an education.
On June 23, 2006, after fifty-one years of service to our great country and the
great state of Texas (having served in the United States Air Force, United
States Army, The Texas National Guard, and The United States Army Reserve),
Henry retired honorably. His great loves and loyalties were always to God
first, our great country, and to his family. Henry retired with his wife,
Marcie, in Lumberton, Texas.
He was very active in almost any sports his sons
participated in - especially football. He coached Junior Cardinal League
football, helped coach baseball, and was a very active member of Cristo Rey
Catholic Church. His legacy to his children and grandchildren has always been
to be honest, reach the highest level of education possible - so they could be
leaders, work hard and reach for the stars.
Henry is survived his children, Frank Godina and
his wife, Loretta; Anna Saldana and her husband, Albert; Juanita Domingue; Ernie
Godina and his wife, Mary; Anthony Godina and son/brother, Manuel Godina;
thirteen grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and
wife, Marcelina "Chelina" Godina, the love of his life.
A Rosary will be
recited at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2016, with a gathering of Mr.
Godina’s family and friends to follow until 8:00 p.m., at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin
Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m.,
Friday, April 22, 2016, at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 767 Avenue A, Beaumont,
with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
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