Lyme Regis: 'The Cowboy' rides into the sunset (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Lyme Regis: 'The Cowboy' rides into the sunset

10:42am Thursday 4th February 2010

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A FORMER Lyme Regis shopkeeper who was known locally as The Cowboy has died in America, at the age of 57.

David Godden – also better known as Danny – ran a shop on the Marine Parade for five years called The Last Resort, selling Native American artefacts.

As well as selling all things country and western, Danny also sold snow cones and candy floss from his shop, making it a firm favourite with local children.

He headed west to Tennessee in 2004, where he died from an asbestos-related disease.

His youngest daughter Kaylie said: “Our dad was unique and we feel blessed to have had him for all these years.

“He was kind and thoughtful, and was the best grandad ever – who else has got a grandad with a candy floss and snow cone machine on the beach?”

Born in 1952 as the second of six children, Danny went on to join the Royal Navy at the age of 15 and was stationed at HMS Ganges in Ipswich, Suffolk.

He saw the world on board ship and it was during that time it is believed that he came into contact with asbestos.

Kaylie said: “I asked him once if he wished he had never gone in the navy, where he may have come in contact with the asbestos, and he just gave a wry smile and said: ‘I had some fun.’ “He never, ever complained about his condition, and was the most patient man you could ever meet. We all miss him terribly and will cherish his memory forever.”

By the end of his eight years in the navy, Danny was married to Patricia and their first daughter Shelley was born in Gibraltar, followed by their second daughter Kaylie, although they divorced while their children were still young.

Danny served aboard ship alongside his father, who also died of an asbestos-related disease in 1991.

Danny moved to Long Entry in Lyme Regis in 1999 and opened his shop on the seafront, trading with Native Americans for goods to sell in his store. He could often be seen around the town wearing his cowboy hat and cavalry coat, earning him the name The Cowboy.

Writing in his autobiography, which he finished shortly before passing away, Danny said: “Just about everyone over two years old knew me there, either as the Snow Cone Man or The Cowboy. I really enjoyed the store although it was never going to do more than cover its costs, so I decided to cut a rug and head west to Canada.”

Danny met his future wife Kathy, from Tennessee, through an internet dating website while making plans to move abroad.

He never made it to Canada and instead moved to Tennessee, and two years later he married Kathy on horseback in their own western-style wedding.

Danny’s health took a turn for the worst in 2008 and he was diagnosed with a lung disease caused by asbestos.

Danny died on January 14, leaving behind his wife, two daughters and six grandchildren. A memorial service is being held in Southampton on Saturday, February 6.

For details about the service please contact Kaylie at kayliegodden@yahoo.com

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