Jerome W. Godwin, transitioned to Chapter Invisible on Thursday, 12 August 2021 in Clermont, Florida at the age of 65. Jerome was born July 23, 1956, the 5th of 7 children to the late Reverend Roscoe and Jimmie C. Godwin in Waycross, Georgia. His family moved to Clermont, Florida in December 1956 and then to Groveland in 1968.

 

Jerome attended Lake County public schools and graduated from Groveland High School in 1974, where he served as senior class president. He continued his education at Florida Memorial College (University), Miami, Florida where he majored in Criminal Justice. Jerome was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Florida Memorial College, Epsilon Mu Chapter on April 20, 1976.  During his time at Florida Memorial College, Jerome served as Dean of Pledges of Epsilon Mu Chapter. He held other positions in college activities as President of the Gospel Choir, Chaplain of the Black Students Union and Treasurer of the senior class.

 

Upon graduation in 1979 Jerome attended the J. C. Stone Police Academy in Orlando, Florida. After graduation, he was hired by the Kissimmee Police Department in December 1980.  Jerome served in various divisions within the Kissimmee Police Department up to the position of Master Police Officer.  Jerome retired from the Kissimmee Police Department in February 2011 after 30 years of service. He remained active with the Kissimmee Police Department serving as a Reserve Officer until August 2014.  His main area of interest was Traffic Enforcement and School Resource Officer duties.  Jerome held various certifications pertaining to School Safety and Traffic Homicide investigation. Jerome was a very active member of the Greater Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Groveland, Florida. He served as Chairman of the Deacons and Trustees and teacher at the adult Sunday School Class. Jerome served as the interim pastor of Greater Harmony Missionary Baptist Church after the death of their pastor, Reverend Billy R. Lock, July 5, 2020. Jerome served as Chaplain of the Blue Knights Florida 29 Motorcycle Club and Osceola Visionaries. He was also a member of ABEMI (Alumni Brothers of Epsilon Mu) where he served as secretary. Jerome was a certified Driver’s Education Instructor as well as a Certified Motorcycle Riding Instructor. His special interest included motorcycle riding, fishing, reading, and helping others.

Brother Godwin was a charter member and the first Vice Polemarch of the Leesburg (FL) Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., chartered 18 November 2016 in Leesburg, Florida. He also held the position as chapter chairman of the national initiatives for St Jude, Reclamation and March of Dimes. Jerome is the father of two children Tiffany C. Godwin and Marty R. Godwin and has one granddaughter
JaMaya A. Godwin. Of all the things in life, Jerome loved The Lord.