Honorees

← Back to directory

Year Honored
1998
Honoree
Carles Godsey
Agency
Kingsport Lifesaving Crew
Agency City
Kingsport
Agency State
TN
Last Call
1/9/98
Cause of Death
Other Trauma
Biography
Junior Godsey's sudden and tragic death in the raging flood waters of Carter County, Tennessee grieves all who knew him. When it came to rescuing people from all sorts of accidents, mishaps and danger, everyone who knew the paramedic and rescue squad volunteer says Junior Godsey was the best in the class.<br /> <br /> Junior died in the thick of things, attempting to mount a rescue effort for persons trapped in their homes by rising flood waters. A surge of water pulled the stalled motorized raft down stream where debris caused the boat to break apart ejecting rescuers into the turbulent waters.<br /> <br /> Three members were rescued, Junior was not found for 36 hours. He was 38 years old when he gave his life trying to save others on January 9, 1998.<br /> <br /> A paramedic with the Sullivan County EMS for 13 years, he was also a member of the Kingsport Life Saving Crew for 23 years. He was a member of the Northeast Tennessee Urban Search and Rescue Team, was a field trained officer for the Sullivan County EMS and a flight paramedic for Wings, an air rescue service for Johnson City Medical Center. He was also a member of the Kingsport Motor Sports Rescue.<br /> <br /> Surviving are his wife, Sherri Mumpower Godsey, a daughter, Kaleia, and his father, CarIes J. Godsey, Sr.<br /> <br /> Honored 1998