12. Divorce Court
Joseph and Ida Godges flank their son Joe at his graduation from
the U.S. Army’s master’s degree program in physical therapy at
Baylor University in San Antonio, Texas, on November 24, 1981.
On the back of the photo, Joseph wrote: “Thanks to God and the U.S. Army.”
JOE, THE JOCK OF THE FAMILY, learns about life and people through baseball. His game plan leads him to marry young and to divorce young. His father, Joseph, beseeches Joe to obtain a Catholic annulment so that he can remarry within the church, but Joe refuses. Joseph develops severe depression. Joe takes care of Joseph and Ida but draws condemnation by remarrying outside the church in 1994. Joseph boycotts the wedding. Ida learns a new meaning of marriage.