Jesse Elverton Godfrey
August 24, 1944 — August 6, 2017
Jesse Elverton Godfrey was the first born of Jesse and Dorothy Godfrey. He was born on August 24th, 1944. As a child he played Little League Baseball and was an avid fan of the Mets. Jesse graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1962.
He enlisted in the Army on Valentine’s Day, of 1963. During his service to his country he achieved the rank of Private First Class and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal for Expert Marksmanship. He received leave from the Army to marry his high school sweetheart Norma G. Gatling on November 14th, 1964. Jesse and Norma had three children, Dayle, Cheryl and Myia.
He was employed by AT&T as a Service Technician. After visiting Portland Jesse and Norma decided that it would be the perfect place to raise their three girls. In 1978, Jesse transferred from Queens, New York to Portland, Oregon. Jesse was initiated into the Prince Hall Masons and quickly rose to be a 32nd degree Mason. Eventually becoming Worshipful Master of Acacia Lodge, and an Honorary Past Grand Master.
In April of 1995 tragedy struck when their eldest daughter Dayle passed. Jesse and Norma didn’t miss a beat, together they raised Dayle’s three girls. In May of 2014, they lost their granddaughter, Alexandria Jessie to an illness. Jesse’s spirits were lifted in November of 2014, when he and Norma celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Jesse was hospitalized in June of 2017, as a result of an extended illness.
Jesse will be remembered fondly by all the lives he touched with his counsel, kindness, and generosity.
Jesse Godfrey was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Dayle Hill, and his granddaughter Alexandria Jessie Martin. He is survived by his wife Norma, his daughters Cheryl Brookins, Myia Stark (Jerome); Grandchildren Tanisha Martin (Tiffany), McKenzie Brookins, Cynthia Stark, Monterae Hill, Joshua Stark, and Mercedes Brookins; Great Granddaughters Dayle Parker and Arianna Longmire; Siblings Charles Godfrey, Michael Godfrey, and Betty Hughes; and a host of other relatives and friends.