Car shows are a popular event for the people of Richland County, but rarely is one found in the parking lot of a church. This year marked the 15th annual Gospel Baptist Church Car Show in Galion, but this one was particularly special.
Long time church member, car enthusiast and father of two Bob Godby died tragically on April 19, 2014. Godby had taken over operations of the annual car show four years ago, and the car show grew in popularity as a result.
“He made it more of a community thing. He loved doing it and was so dedicated. He even got on the roof one year to get a good shot of the video he always made of the car show,” shared his wife, Terri Godby.
Bob Godby, 58, was trimming a bush atop of a ladder when he fell off and the sheers stabbed him on impact with the ground. He grew up in Shelby and according to his daughter, Allison, he was always around cars. He started working in a station in Shelby at the age of 7.
“He always had an interest and a deep passion for cars,” said Allison Godby. But he also used the car show as a way to spread the gospel, she said. His favorite verse to share with others was John 3:16, where it says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
At the time of the accident, planning for the car show was in full swing, and Bob Godby was the coordinator. His wife stepped up after he died in order to see the car show through, and to keep it going in the future.
“After a while I stepped up to do the planning and take over his role. Doing this is in his honor. It’s a lot of work, but I think I will probably keep doing it. I can just see him smiling down on it,” said Terri.
Allison Godby said their involvement is a way to carry the car show across the finish line for Bob Godby this year.
This year, the car show’s name changed to the Bob Godby Memorial Car Show. A plaque was made for the family, with a picture of him and his favorite verse attached at the bottom.
Because of the clouds and the promise of scattered showers for the area, the car show did not experience as much participation as years prior. According to Head Pastor Monty Trammel, the first car show attracted nearly 50 cars and the highest participation was 175 cars in 2012.
Trammel has been the Head Pastor for Gospel Baptist Church for 26 years. His family and the Godby family grew close over the years, with the two daughters growing up through school together as friends.
“This car show is awesome. It started because a church member came up to me and just asked ‘what about a car show?’ so we gave it a go,” remembered Trammel.
Trammel said he loves cars. He used to own a 1957 Chevy and a few Corvettes throughout the years. He described himself as a ‘hot rod guy’ and he used to work on them all the time. He gives out a trophy to his favorite car, known as the Pastor’s Choice.
“I get teased because people think I only choose Chevy’s. I guess it’s somewhat true, but I’ve chosen different types before,” said Trammel.
There are 35 trophies handed out to participants for different recognitions. Each trophy is sponsored by a local business, and each business puts together a “goody bag” full of auto accessories and other miscellaneous objects. Every item is donated. Raffle tickets were also available for purchase, with all the proceeds benefiting the church’s youth group’s mission trip later in the year.
Terry Spigel and his wife Linda are from Galion. Terry Spigel said he was invited by his neighbor last year, and they enjoyed it so much that they returned. He drives a 2007 Ford Mustang.
“We bought it just to tool around in. I’m not really a die hard car show guy; I just like to support good things. And the people here are really nice. This is only the third car show we’ve ever been to,” said Terry Spigel.
Despite the scattered showers and cloud coverage, the car show went on. And for good causes: to remember a loved one in the community, and to raise money for young people in the church who have a desire to travel on a mission trip.
