Richard Kyle Godeke

Richard Kyle Godeke, better known as “Rich,” lived an amazing life. We can only imagine it became even more wonderful on January 26, 2022, when he was welcomed home by our Lord and Savior.

Rich was born on October 18, 1968, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Julia and Richard H. Godeke, Jr. He was the son of a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, which contributed to his well-rounded life experiences, adaptability, and a welling sense of pride for the military and being an American.

Being a military family led the Godeke’s on many an adventure. They were well traveled, moving all over the world. Rich would often speak fondly of his time as a child on the base getting into many things he probably shouldn’t have. Rich was always involved from a very young age participating in Boy Scouts, soccer, baseball, golf and just about anything sports related. He carried his love of sports through life and was a passionate L.A. Dodgers, Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys fan.

Following a very active childhood, Rich graduated from high school in Seoul, Korea, in 1987. After finishing high school, he pursued and obtained an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Austin Community College in 1996. Which contributed to his skill as a correctional officer and deputy sherriff with Travis County where he served from 1994-2001.

From there, he moved on to a different career as a fraud inspector for Dell. This is where he met his best friend, Ram Hernandez. To this day, these two had a special bond. They were hunting and fishing buddies and shared many a beer and a good story around a campfire.

Rich was a man of many talents, also earning his Associate’s Degree in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating in 2006. This led to him traveling to Zormat, Afghanistan, in 2008 working as an HVAC technician for KBR and Fluor for three years. He had the best time and was so honored to work with the soldiers there that he still considered many of them as brothers. One of those brothers recently reached out saying Rich, “made his year in the Afghan mountains a lot more bearable.” Rich was good at that … making tough situations a lot more bearable.

Because of his experience in Afghanistan, he was also able to branch out and do some amazing things like visit Thailand, where the adventures were endless, including ziplining, riding elephants, visiting a tiger temple, and diving. He also dabbled in snow skiing adventures in Dubai and taking multiple laps in excess of 100 miles an hour in a NASCAR racing car. Man, did he love to reminisce on the adrenaline rush that brought. Boy, did he live!

He finally slowed down a bit and found himself in San Antonio, Texas. This is where he met another one of his very best friends, Mike Pool. They met while he worked at Sea World and have remained good friends.

In 2013, Rich was hired as a fire inspector for the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2014, he waltzed into Business Auxiliary Services and was swindled into hanging out with several co-workers at the University. It was through this happenstance crossing of misfits that he met the wild spirited girl that would later become his wife and mother of his child. Over the next several months, he formed quite the unstoppable bromance with his stepson, Noah Watkins. After less than a year together. Shelley (Deats) Godeke would move back to Waco, Texas, and the two endured over a year of traveling back and forth between Waco and San Antonio until Rich just couldn’t tolerate the distance.

In April 2016, Rich was able to secure a job as a fire inspector in Waco, Texas, and moved to what would become his home in McGregor, Texas, joining Shelley and Noah. Rich was the most amazing influence for this little boy, stepping up to mold him into such a wonderful young man.

In March 2018, Rich welcomed his beautiful son, Bryce Emerson Godeke, into the world and his life was changed forever. From moment one, Rich’s heart brimmed with endless and unconditional love for this tiny little person.

In February 2019, Rich and Shelley were happily engaged and began planning what seemed would be the wedding of the century. Rich and Shelley were married October 10, 2020, and it was the most beautiful blur of a day the two would ever experience. Surrounded by his best friends, Mike and Ram, and an abundance of family and friends, two hearts became one before God.

It is evident Rich lived a most wonderful, blessed, and adventurous life in his short 53 years. He will forever be remembered as our rock. He was a force to be reckoned with when he was passionate about something. He was a dedicated worker. He was always a fun, humorous and willing participant of any shenanigans he was asked to join. Above all, he was an enormous giant of a family man, and he always had your back.

The impact he has had on those blessed enough to know him will last a lifetime. His stern but loving guidance in the life of his sons, Noah Watkins and Bryce Godeke, will forever be etched in the legacy he leaves behind.

Rich will continue to guide and watch over those here missing him dearly. Family left to cherish him include his wife, Shelley Godeke, and two sons, Noah E. Watkins, and Bryce E. Godeke. Parents, Julia and Richard H. Godeke, Jr., nephew, Gavin Chiles, and wife, Samantha; mother and father in-law, Jennie, and Stephen Deats; brother and sister-in-law, Bradley and Meagan Deats; three nieces: Lynlee, Landree and Emeri Deats, who loved their “Uncle Rish!” He is also survived by an uncle, Robert F. Godeke, and aunt, Alana D. Welch. In addition to his best friends, Ram Hernandez and Mike Pool, he leaves a multitude of family and friends that will profoundly miss him.

We rejoice in knowing Rich leaves this earth and has gone home to celebrate the most wonderful reunion with his little brother, Christopher S. Godeke, and God the Father.