Jimmy Ray Godwin

Jimmy Ray Godwin passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the age of 72 in Houston, Texas surrounded by family. Jim lost his long battle with diabetes and its complications. Jimmy was born March 30, 1941 in Dennison, Texas and was the eldest son of James and Gwendolyn “Fern” Godwin. He attended school in Sherman, Texas until he and his family moved to Houston in 1958 where he graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1959. It was there he met his sweetheart Virginia Cleland whom he married shortly after graduation. Jim attended The University of Houston while he began his pioneering career in computer services and programming. He was a beloved entrepreneur who, following his long and dedicated service to Sterling Computer Systems, co founded Houston Data Center and later it’s successor Outsource Data Center. Jim was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in the Heights. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jeffrey. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 53 years: Virginia; sons: Keith Godwin and wife Cheryl, and Kevin Godwin and wife Lucy, daughters: Connie Sue and husband Carlen Gilseth, Kelly Godwin, Tracey Godwin and husband Devon Denbina, and Tara and husband Eric Burrer, and brother Charles Godwin. He is survived by 9 grandchildren: Joshua and Jordan Guerra; Evan, Gretchen and Austin Godwin; Olivia and Ginger Marie Denbina; Miles Godwin and Megan Burrer. Jimmy is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones. A visitation will be held Tuesday, November 5th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Heights Funeral Home. The funeral service celebrating his life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in the Heights on Wednesday, November 6 at 11:30 a.m. followed by a reception at the church. A graveside service will be held at Klein Memorial Park on FM 2920 in Tomball after the reception. In lieu of flowers, Jimmy wished for donations to be made to the American Diabetes Association.