Jesse Godbold

Jesse Godbold our beloved husband, father and grandfather died on Wednesday July 31 at St. Vincent’s Hospital Clay County after a long illness.  He is survived by his wife of 56 years Jeanie, son Tommy, grandchildren Hunter and Hanna, sisters Shirley Rhoden, Vonnie Baker and Wanda Ward.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons and a daughter Stephanie Wilson.

He was born on March 17, 1940 on a farm in Suwanee County Florida near Wellborn.

He graduated from Suwannee High School in 1958. After graduation he worked at the ship yards in Jacksonville then moved back home to continue farming with his father and attended NFJC.  After graduating he moved to Gainesville where he attended the University of Florida graduating in 1963 with a degree in agricultural education.

He and his wife Jeanie were married in 1962 and lived in Gainesville until his graduation.  His first job after graduating university was as an Ag teacher at Santa Fe High School.

In November 1963 he was offered a position as Assistant County Ag Agent in Lake City, FL.  He held that position for five years.  He then moved to Bristol Florida for a position as County Agent. 

In Jan 1971 he transferred to Green Cove Springs as the Clay County Agricultural Extension Director.  For the next 25 years he continued in a job that he loved.

He retired early to help take care of his daughter Stephanie as she battled brain cancer.  He cared for her until her death in October 1999.  He was called back to work for a short time as interim Agricultural Agent then worked for the St Johns Water Management District and then with the Clay County Property Appraisers Office. 

In 2012 one of the greatest tributes of his career was the naming of the T. Jesse Godbold, Sr. Extension Education Center.

He was given the honor from the University of Florida as County Extension Director Emeritus, and a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow.

His high school FFA Jacket is one of only five in the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.

He was awarded numerous State and National awards for his work in promoting Agricultural Education.

He lived his life with a strong faith in God and a deep love for his family and friends.  He will always be remembered for his kindness and willingness to help others. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 40 years.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Monday, August 5, 2019 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Tuesday August 6, 2019 at Green Cove Springs First United Methodist Church.  Interment will be at Mt. Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in Wellbourn, FL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to the Clay County 4-H Foundation which he created.