George Godhardt

Big Lake resident, George Godhardt, 73, died Jan, 24 of complications from diabetes at his home in Big Lake.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m., Tuesday at the Church of the Rock, 3571 W. Machan Drive in Wasilla. Pastor Gary Oathout will officiate. Military honors will be performed by the Fort Richardson Memorial Affairs. A celebration of George’s life will immediately follow the services at George’s home, 11064 Wasey Way in Houston. His ashes will be scattered in Seward at a later date.

Mr. Godhardt was born Sept. 15, 1936 to Edward and Fay Lillian (Collins) Godhardt in Neenah, Wis.. He was raised Catholic and graduated from Poly Tech High School in Long Beach, Calif. He entered into the Army in 1960 and served our nation until he was honorably discharged in 1962. While in the Army he was stationed in Fairbanks intermittently. Mr. Godhardt worked as a car painter for General Motors in Southgate, Calif., until transferring to the Oklahoma plant from which he retired in 1985. He owned and operated a Cocktail Lounge in California for 16 years where he and his wife, Gail, organized many fund-raisers for MS, offering support through time and money.

Mr. Godhardt moved to Big Lake in 1992 and he worked as a host at the Willow Creek Campground from 1991 to 1999. He also worked for First Student as a bus attendant for 10 years in the Valley. Mr. Godhardt enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and playing cards. He had three loves in his life, fishing, family and grandkids.

“George was a man who loved his family and was hardworking. He had a passion for his friends and fishing. He touched the hearts of the people he knew. He had qualities that all men would be proud to have. He would do anything for his family and friends. He was called Grandpa by most; Good-bye Grandpa, God bless and you will be missed,” wrote the family.

Mr. Godhardt was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gail D. Godhardt in 2002. He is survived by his sons, Troy and Tod Torres both of Sacramento, Calif., and Shane Godhardt of Big Lake; daughters, Rhonda Patterson and Rebecka Schuler both of Big Lake; he also left behind 18 grandkids; four great-grandkids; and brother, Richard Godhardt of California.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family C/O Rhonda Patterson, P.O. Box 521525, Big Lake, AK 99652.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.