Godfrey Waddell Updike, Jr.

GW Updike, 63 died Sunday, April 24, 2010. Because G.W. trusted in Christ as his Savior as a boy, his family rejoices in the certain knowledge that when we are "absent from the body we are present with the Lord". Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." Jeremiah 17:7.

GW loved three things very much: The Army, Boy Scouts, and his family, GW graduated from Virginia Military Institute, and immediately entered the US Army as a regular infantry officer in June 1969 serving until November 1979. He completed both Airborne and Ranger schools, Infantry basic and advanced courses, Command and General Staff College, the Army War college and a tour in Vietnam. He served in the US Army Reserve for nineteen years and retired in 2004 with the rank of colonel. He was activated for Desert Shield and Desert Storm serving in Europe and Saudi Arabia. GW loved his time in service and considered it to be both an honor and a privilege to serve his country.

GW loved Scouting. He began Boy Scouts when he was 11, became Eagle Scout at 16 and has been involved in various roles since then. He loved introducing his sons Adam, Joshua, Jacob and James to the organization that he believed help develop men of character, faith, and citizenship. He was selected as a Silver Beaver in 2003 and the 2008 Eagle Scout class Honoree.

In addition to his job at Lockheed Martin, he taught evenings at Webster University and FIT. His hard work allowed his wife Debbie, to be a stay-at-home mom to their eight incredible children. "His Girls" - Rebekah, Abigail, Christiane, and Rachel had their Dad wrapped around their fingers. He loved watching his boys play football and basketball. It was his joy to see his children grow up and honor God with their lives. "Dad" was his most distinguished honor.

GW born in Charlottesville, Virginia to Godfrey W. and Frances (Bailey) Updike, Sr., moved to Central Florida in 1979 and was a member of First Baptist Church of Central Florida. he leaves to cherish his memory, mother Frances Updike of Charlottesville, Virginia; wife Debbie (Colvert) Updike of Orlando; sons, Adam Michael, Joshua Gaven, Jacob Scott, James Eston Updike; daughters, Rebekah Paige, Abigail Kaytlyn, Deborah Christiane, Rachel Ann Updike all of Orlando and brother Malon Sim of Atlanta, Georgia.

Public Visitation will be held from 2:30 PM until 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at First Baptist Church of Central Florida, located at 700 Good Homes Road, Orlando FL 32818, followed by the funeral service at 4:00 PM with Pastor Clayton Cloer officiating. Interment will be at Winter Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Baptist Church of Central Florida.

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