Larry Don Godfrey, 60, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2017, after a 6 year battle with cancer. He was born to Don and Laura Godfrey on July 7, 1956, and welcomed by his sister, Carol.
He attended school in Salem and graduated from Salem High School in 1974. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Entomology from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Kentucky.
In 1984, he married Kris Elvin from Huntsville, Texas, and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where both had jobs. In 1987, Larry decided to change his career path and accepted a research position at the University of Nebraska.
In 1991, he secured a faculty position as a Professor of Entomology and Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California, Davis, where he worked for 26 years.
He dedicated his research to helping growers control insect pests using a variety of methods, so as to improve the economics and environmental impact of agricultural production. He conducted applied research in rice, cotton, alfalfa, and several minor crops such as mint, corn, and pomegranate in California.
He also assisted researchers from around the world in controlling their insect pests and traveled extensively while assisting them.
He is survived by his mother, Laura Godfrey; wife, Kris Godfrey, sister, Carol Green, and her family?Jim Green, Adam Green, Kendall Green, Heather Green, Adara Green, and Adriel Green.
He was preceded in death by his father, Don Godfrey.
The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday at the Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home in Salem. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. George Browning will officiate.
