- Date Of Birth: January 3, 1947
- Date Of Death: February 15, 2023
- State: Maryland
Gnahoua Honoré Godo, PhD, 76, went to be with The Lord on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Honoré was born on January 3rd, 1947 in Guéyo Sassandra, Côte d’Ivoire (CI) to the late Blé Augustin Godo and the late Amani Mami Bahi* Godo. He* was one of 21 children, Gabeh Susanne, Djouho Jacob, Ozouho Thérèse*, Dogou Benjamin, Djidjeh Anatole, Bada Alfreid*, Bikpo Elise*, Yoroba Christine, Honon, Beleh Daniel, Zeyoroh Jeanne, Djidjihahiri Juliette*, Tetiagnon Henri, Omeah Elizabeth, Lebehiah Alice, Kossoh David, Dogou Vincent, Amnah, Dogbo Clovis*, and Djigreh Sam Godo.
Honoré is survived by his beloved wife, Reba Charmaine Harris who he married on June 19 th , 1976. He is also survived by his six children and their spouses: Linda Bessy Godo, Beleh Augustin Godo, N’Kedi Nateh Godo, Séké Gnahoua and Semegnish Makonnen Godo, Tapeh Robert and Malika Sylviane Godo, and Gertrude Mamie-Zousseh Godo and José Aredys Mayen-Caballero. He is “Granddaddy” to 13 grandchildren: Hugo Roger Bruno Barthelemy, Chléo Juliette Benjamine Barthelemy, Genesis jamizja-Leigh Godo, Emmanuel Séké Godo, Noah Clovis Mayen-Caballero, Gabriel Makonnen Godo, Mary-Angel Charmaine Godo, Naomi Reba Godo, Lebeyah June Godo, Chloe Martina Mayen-Caballero, Titus Honoré Godo, David Honoré Godo, and Aliyah Grace Godo.
He attended the University of Abidjan in CI where he received his Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1972. Soon after, he attended the University of Nancy in France where he took graduate courses in soil science and pedology from 1972 to 1973. He, then, attended the University of California Davis in the U.S. from 1974 to 1978 where he received his Ph.D. in soil science/fertility and plant nutrition. He, additionally, spent a year in Québec Canada to complete a Pearson Fellow Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Agricultural Research Management from 1983 to 1984.
After Honoré received his doctoral degree in 1978, he returned to Côte d’Ivoire to serve for the Ivorian government. From 1978 to 1987, he served as an Assistant and Associate Research Scientist in the Agronomy Department for the Office of Scientific and Technical Research Overseas (ORSTOM) Centre in Adiopodoumé, CI. He was promoted to Research Scientist and Head of Agronomy for ORSTOM Centre where he held that position from 1987 to 1988. He also held the same position from 1988 to 1992 for the International Institute for the Development of Africa (IIRSDA) in Adiopoudoumé, CI. He, finally, moved to the Oil Palm Research Station (IDEFOR/DPO) in Station Principale de La Mé in CI where he served as Research Scientist and Head of the Department of Agronomy at IDEFOR/DPO from 1992 to 1995.
Honoré had a prolific career as a soil scientist where he gained international recognition for his work in soil fertility management as a tool to achieving sustainability of various cropping systems based on cassava and yams. He was appointed as the National Representative and Project Leader for the Conférence des Responsables de la Recherche Agronomique Africains (CORAF) and the International Board for Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM). He authored and co-authored 27 scientific publications and reports. His career allotted him the opportunity to present at many international conferences in Asia: Thailand, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, South America: Brazil and Peru, and Africa: Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon, Congo, Zaire, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Ugunda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar. Honoré, also, taught graduate courses on a part-time basis in soil chemistry and mineralogy at the School of Agriculture Engineering of Abidjan, CI.
Honoré retired from serving for the Ivorian government in 1995, and he and his family moved to the U.S. to settle in Lanham, MD where he lived out the remainder of his life. He held various positions including working with TruGreen after which he retired.
Honoré loved his family, but, above all, he had a passion to seek and serve Jesus Christ. He poured his wisdom and love for Christ unto his family and friends. He was known to be a quiet, gentle, witty, and a patient soul. He loved soccer, especially Pelé, and he was a great fan of the Cowboys. He obtained a black belt in Karate in college.
His wisdom, constant smile, and kindness will be sorely missed by his family.
May he fly into the infinite love of Jesus Christ and the eternity of God’s embrace.
*The immediate children of Amani Mami Bahi Godo were Ozouho Thérèse, Honoré Gnahoua, Bada Alfreid, Bikpo Elise, Djidjihahiri Juliette, and Dogbo Clovis Godo in order of seniority.
