James Rulon Godfrey

Our amazing husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother and friend, James Rulon Godfrey, age 75, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 27, 1947, and passed away February 19, 2023 in Murray, Utah, after a sudden, short battle with congestive heart failure. Jim was the first of five children born to loving parents Joseph Sidney Godfrey and Jacqueline Dawn Sargent Godfrey. He grew up in Murray, Utah, and loved working with his granddad, Sidney Rulon Godfrey, on his farm where he learned the value and joy of hard work. He loved animals and raised almost every domestic animal (except goats) at one time or another. His favorites were chickens, especially game roosters. He said a good game rooster doesn’t quit and that inspired him to persevere through years of major depression.

Jim was drafted into the Army in 1966 where he liked serving in the armor division. His two years in the military taught him to appreciate home and family and recognize the privileges he had.

He married Kathryn Ann Wiley on October 10, 1970. They raised six children: Sidney, Tiffany, Mindy, Kimberly, Justin, and Debbie. They later divorced. Jim married Judy King Florence on December 15, 1996. Together they enjoyed 12 cruises, 11 of which were to Alaska, his favorite destination for fishing and kayaking.

Jim worked for Murray City for over 30 years. Most of those years were at Murray City Cemetery where he took pride in making the grounds as neat and beautiful as possible. He also kept a beautiful yard at home, planting a variety of flowers. The neighborhood won’t be the same without his picking up trash in the street, sweeping the gutter, and talking to everyone.

He loved his children and was proud of their accomplishments even though it was difficult for him to express those feelings. He loved all his grandchildren, setting up Easter egg hunts and growing pumpkins so they could pick out one for Halloween. He was a loving husband with a generous spirit, sometimes hard to live with but even harder to live without.

Jim is survived by his wife, Judy; children Sidney, Tiffany Gallup, Justin, Debbie Gardner (Scott); grandchildren Spencer, Alexis, Matthew, Gracie, Noah, Tyler, Charles, Ashley, Samantha, Chace, Haylee, Kalin, Dillon, Jason, Brandon, Meikle, McKinley, Coleman, and Tyler Zoe, plus three great grandchildren. Also survived by his siblings Dan (Cathy), Jeff (Gayle), David (Patti), and Patricia Meeks. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughters Mindy Gates and Kimberly Luckau, and brother-in-law Jim Meeks.

A visitation will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 10–10:45 am at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State St, Midvale, Utah 84047. Following will be a brief graveside service at Murray City Cemetery, 5490 S. Vine St., Murray, Utah 84107.