In memory of our friend,
John Douglas Godwin - K5IUA (ex-KB5IUA)
March 31, 1950 - February 2, 2021

Obituary from The Alvin Sun

John Douglas Godwin, 70, succumbed to COVID pneumonia, on Feb 2, 2021, in San Antonio, TX

John was born and raised in Alvin, TX, graduating from Alvin HS, in 1968.  He attended Alvin Junior College and in 1970, was drafted into the US Army, during the Vietnam War Era. He served his country, in Germany, as a clerk/driver.

Upon returning home, John worked as a Parts Manager for Alvin Equipment Co. He went on to become a Millwright and Rigger, working at the South Texas Nuclear Power Plant, near Bay City, TX, until he retired in 2012.  

John was a real character and full of wit. He never met a stranger and enjoyed sharing stories, telling jokes and making others smile.

In John’s younger years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling. His two main hobbies, throughout his life, were being a HAM radio operator and a photographer.

As a HAM Radio Operator his call signs were, KB5IUA and K5IUA, appearing in major magazine publications, like QST and CQ magazines. He was rated among the top in the world for points made in radio contesting. He was the VHF sideband king for many years. He was making plans to set up an antenna, in the Texas hill country, so he could bounce his signal off the moon. (73’s John KB5IUA / K5IUA – SK – OM).

John spent many hours in state parks and preserves photographing wildlife. Later in life, John was a certified photographer for MAX PREPS, shooting high school varsity sports. As his grandchildren started participating in sports, he loved taking action shots of them during their baseball, soccer and football games. He loved to share his knowledge with others, as well.

John is preceded in death, by his parents, Riley and Yvonne Huepers Godwin and two brothers, Joe Godwin (1964) and Greg Godwin (1970).

He is survived by: sister Judi Godwin, of Sisterdale, TX brother Enoch “Eddie” Godwin and wife Leslye, of Bulverde, TX; daughter Shannon Godwin Sanderson and husband Chad; son Doug Godwin II, grandchildren Zak Sanderson, Taylor Sanderson and Riley August Godwin, and numerous other relatives and friends.

The family asks if you would share a memory you have, of John, at “alvinsun.net/obituary”

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  

In memory of John, listen to the song, “Spirit In The Sky”, by Norman Greenbaum.

RIP John. You were dearly loved and will be missed.