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Thursday, March 13, 2008

Godbey Was a 'Soft Touch'

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
    Although known for taking a tough stance on a single issue, Ron Godbey was a complex man.
    That's according to state Rep. Kathy McCoy, R-Cedar Crest. McCoy owes much of her political career to Godbey, 73, who died of esophageal cancer at a hospital in San Angelo, Texas, on March 2.
    Godbey was born July 11, 1934, in Milford, Texas. He graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas in 1971 and also served in the Air Force.
    Achieving the rank of colonel by the time he retired from active duty in 1991, Godbey was awarded the Legion of Merit.
    He served in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1999 to 2004 and became known for being outspoken in his convictions.
    McCoy said she had remained good friends with Godbey and had talked to him just a few days before he died.
    "I knew this was coming," she said. "He was probably one of the most memorable people I've known ... just a great role model."
    She said that although Godbey was well-known for taking a hard line against the legalization of marijuana during Gary Johnson's governorship, he could also be very diplomatic.
    "He stood up like no one else on that issue. ... He knew that it was going to be pretty black and white," she said. "On things that were less black and white, he was pretty persuasive."
    Before becoming a legislator herself, McCoy was Godbey's volunteer assistant.
    "We actually had some great disagreements before I actually met him," she said.
    McCoy said she discovered how persuasive Godbey could be the first time she met him.
    "He added angles to whatever it was that I hadn't thought about," she said.
    In a few years, McCoy started her own political career.
    When Godbey's wife became ill, McCoy took over Godbey's seat and served the remainder of his term.
    Later that year in 2004, she ran for the seat with Godbey helping her campaign. He moved to Texas soon after.
    Through McCoy, Godbey's influence was still a part of New Mexico politics.
    She said it was Godbey who taught her how to work with legislators from the Democratic Party.
    "As a minority member, I have to count on votes from the other side of the isle," she said. "When you're a Republican, that is absolutely critical in getting the legislation passed."
    For example, McCoy said, she works with Democratic legislators on a bill before introducing it so it will have a better chance of passage.
    The legislative staff in Santa Fe respected and remembered Godbey, McCoy said. They would often ask about him, even after Godbey had moved to Texas, she said.
    "He came across as this stiff, military guy, but he really was a soft touch," she said. "My husband and I miss him so much."