Alex John Godinez

Alex Godinez, 42, passed away on August 18th, 2016 in Seattle, Washington after a long battle with heart failure. He is survived by his wife of 5 years Sara Godinez, his loving Mother Cynthia Lawton, his sisters Andrea Daniel and Yvette Nevarez, his brother John Godinez III, Grandfather John Godinez SR, along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, and friends. Alex did not want a memorial service or a funeral. His ashes will be spread off of Channel Islands in Oxnard, California at a later date. 

Alex was born in Oxnard, California to Cynthia Lawton. He lived most of his life in Port Hueneme, California where he attended Ventura Community College, graduating with honors before moving to Humboldt State University in Arcata, California for his Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Biology. He obtained this degree in the summer of 2008, graduating with High Honors and obtaining the Michael G. Scott Award for Fisheries. You can find his name on a plaque on the wall as you walk down the hallway of HSU. He went on to work toward his Master's degree in Fisheries Biology Management at the University of Alaska in 2010. Alex was incredibly proud of his achievements in academia, where he excelled in every way. His research project for his Master's degree will be published with him as First Author posthumously. 

Alex met his wife Sara (`nee Warner) Godinez and began a life with her in 2009. They were married in Hell, Michigan on June 10th, 2011. Alex was a devoted husband, and enjoyed teaching is wife his different cooking projects and his love of fishing. They moved to Seattle, Washington from Juneau, Alaska in July of 2014 due to Alex's illness progression and needing access to medical professionals. He was cared for extremely well by University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, with special thanks to the Cardiac unit for their hard work and dedication to Alex's wellbeing. 

Alex was funny, compassionate, kind, and generous - always willing to give to others, even if just to give them advice. He was brilliant and prized intelligence. He wanted to know everything, experience everything, be friends with everyone, and spread his love of knowledge to everyone he came in contact with. Whether he knew it or not, everyone loved him dearly. We will miss him every single day. Miss his smile, miss his jokes, miss his passion for life. 

A Go Fund Me account has been set up for donations toward Alex's final expenses as well as to assist his family with costs associated with his passing. Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/godinezhousehold