Antone Godding Image

Antone Godding

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine

Marc Antone "Tony" Godding, Jr., was born in El Dorado, Kansas, on June 19, 1937, to Verda May Bogue Godding and Marc Antone Godding, Sr. He died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on January 23, 2025, at age 87.

He was Professor Emeritus of Music at Oklahoma City University (OCU), where he taught from 1970 until his retirement in 2005. He was University Organist, Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music, and taught organ performance and courses in the history of music, music theory and aural skills. His was the heart of a teacher. In the classroom his teaching style was engaging, and his wit, wisdom and enthusiasm for the subject matter was infectious. As an organ teacher, he was disarming and perpetually kind. He posessed a keen skill at coaxing the results he desired from the student. He was supportive and nurturing. Perhaps his most endearing quality as teacher was that he left no doubt that he was his student's champion. It is for these qualities he is remembered with such fondness by the generations of students whose lives he touched.

He served as organist at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City from 1975 until 2024 when he retired due to declining health. He also served as organist for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic from 1988 to 2005. He was a past Dean of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) chapters in Waterbury, Connecticut, and Oklahoma City, and served nine terms as Oklahoma State Chairman. He is remembered for the many annual organ repertoire sessions he led for the Oklahoma City Chapter of the AGO, as well as those he led for regional and national conventions of the AGO.

He attended all grades in El Dorado and graduated from El Dorado High School in 1955 where he was an active class member. His parents were the owners of Godding's Office and School Supplies in downtown El Dorado. Recognizing his interest in music, they purchased a music store across the street and named it The Melody Shop. He began studying organ in the 9th grade, and by age 14 he was playing regularly at the United Methodist Church where he was a member with his family. His organ teacher was Dorothy Addy, who was organ instructor at Friends University, Wichita, Kansas, and that is where he began his college education, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Music degree in organ.

At Union Theological Seminary, New York City, he earned a Master of Sacred Music degree in 1961 and then studied for two years as a Fulbright scholar in Germany as a student of Helmut Walcha at the Staatliche Hochschule für Music, Frankfurt-am-Main.

While serving as Organist and Music Director (1963 - 1967) at the First Congregational Church in Waterbury, Connecticut, he was invited to teach organ in the music department at The Hartt School of Music of the University of Hartford. It was there that he discovered his love for teaching, and it was to that profession he devoted himself. In 1967 he entered the doctoral program at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where his major professor was Russell Saunders. He was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance and literature in 1971.

As a recitalist, he was a consummate performer of a wide range of organ literature in the many recital programs he presented over the course of his career. For nearly his entire tenure at OCU, he presented an annual faculty recital on the Holtkamp organ in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. He was the featured artist for many recitals performed throughout the state and beyond, as well as guest recitalist for the numerous organ dedication concerts he played in churches throughout the state.

He was a beloved teacher, respected colleague and cherished friend to those who knew him.

He was a devoted son, brother and uncle. He is survived by two sisters, Marcia Alley of San Antonio, Texas, and Rogene Gillmor and spouse Stewart, of Higganum, Connecticut, a nephew Stewart Gillmor, III, and spouse Lucero of Guanajuato, Mexico, nieces Allison Cameron of Westerly, Rhode Island, and Lecia Dorfler and spouse Joseph of Fairfax, Virginia, grand nephews and nieces, and longtime close friend and caretaker Todd Howard of Oklahoma City.


Funeral and Interment

Saturday, March 8, 2025

11:00 a.m.

All Souls' Episcopal Church

6400 N. Pennsylvania Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

There will be a reception in the Church's parish hall immediately following the service.

Per his wishes, Dr. Godding was cremated on January 30, 2025. His remains will be interred alongside those of his parents at the Bella Vista Mausoleum in El Dorado, Kansas, in a private interment.

Memorials


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the following organizations:


Children's Art Project of the MD Anderson Cancer Center

The Children's Art Project (CAP) provides young cancer patients an outlet for sharing their artistic talents. The net proceeds from their art-inspired merchandise helps fund pediatric programs at MD Anderson. For many years Dr. Godding was supporter of the CAP.

To contribute online, please visit Children's Art Project Donations

To contribute by mail:

Please remember to include In memory of Antone Godding on the memo line, and make checks payable to Children's Art Project.

Mail to: Children's Art Project, P.O. Box 301435, Houston, TX 77230-1435


NHUMC Care Committee

Current and former members of Nichols Hills United Methodist Church (NHUMC) joined forces with the NHUMC Care Committee to provide care and comfort to Dr. Godding throughout 2024. This "Care Team" organized and executed a beautiful and memorable retirement celebration and reception for Dr. Godding on June 23, 2024, at NHUMC. These angels of mercy faithfully gave of their time and energy in providing gifts of meals, gestures of love and goodwill, as well as assistance with medical needs.

To contribute by mail:

Please remember to include Care Committee – Godding Memorial on the memo line, and make checks payable to Nichols Hills United Methodist Church.

Mail to: NHUMC, 1212 Bedford Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73116.

Tributes

Tributes and remembrances may be found at the Facebook page for OCU's Wanda L. Bass School of Music. Click below to visit the school's Facebook post for Dr. Godding: