Ralph Lee Godwin

1930-2011

Ralph Lee Godwin died on April 16th 2011.

Ralph was born November 24th 1930 in Polkton, North Carolina to Robert and Arimenta Godwin. His family came to Wilmington in 1941 where he graduated from New Hanover High School in 1949. He enlisted in the army and served in the Korean War from 1950-1951 as an infantry soldier in Company F, 32nd Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1951, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant at Fort Riley, Kansas prior to his 21st birthday. Between the years 1954-1956 he attended NC State, returning to active duty in 1956. In 1957 he graduated first in his class from US Army Flight School. In 1959 he was promoted to captain and commissioned to the regular Army. He earned a baccalaureate degree in education from Omaha University in Nebraska on a leave from the Army. In 1961 he graduated from helicopter training, once again first in his class. From 1961-1964 he served in France and Germany and in 1964 won promotion to major. He served in Vietnam as an Aviation Unit Commander from 1966-1967, and in 1967 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 1968 he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia and served as Aviation Battalion Commander at Fort Riley, Kansas from1968-1969. From 1969-1972 he served on the Department of Army staff in Washington, DC. In 1973 he was promoted to colonel. During 1972-1974 he served as army attaché in Paris, France. In 1975 he graduated from the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Between the years 1975-1977 he commanded the Aviation Group and served as the US Army Aviation Officer in Seoul, Korea. In 1978 he retired from the US Army and returned to Wilmington, North Carolina. From 1980-1984 he served as director for the Committee of 100. Between the years 1984-1999 he was employed by Takeda Chemical Products USA and served in various positions, including president, and retired as vice-chairman of the board. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Hilda Sellars Godwin; his brother James Max Godwin and sisters-in-law Jean Godwin, Wanda Godwin and Vivian Sellars Barber; his children Ralph Lee Jr. and Loretta Godwin of St. Gabriel, Louisiana, Kimberly Sue Godwin of Columbia, Maryland, Martha and Ed Gilroy of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Leslie and Carl Samet of Brooklyn, New York; grandchildren Judson Boaen Terry, Olivia Caroline Martyn Godwin, Ryan Gilroy, Shane Gilroy, Tyler Gilroy, Sara Kaho, Warren Kaho and Amanda Stice; and great-granddaughter Mary Catherine Stice.

Interment will be private. Please make memorial to Arts Education, Cameron Museum of Art: 3201 S. 17th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28412.

A memorial in celebration of Ralph Lee Godwin's life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences at StarNewsOnline.com