"Judge John C. Godbold received his B.S from Auburn University in 1940, and his J.D from Harvard Law School in 1948. Godbold was a U.S Army major from 1941-1946. Godbold acted under a Private Pracatice in Montgomery, Alabama, 1948-1966, a Director at the Federal Judicial Center in 1987-1990, and a Leslie S. Wright Distinguished Professor under the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1990-2009.

He was nominated by Lyndon B. Johnson on June 28, 1966, to a seat vacated by Judge Richard Rives. Confirmed by the Senate and received commission on July 22, 1966. Served as Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit in 1981. Service transferred on October 1, 1981, to the new Eleventh Circuit. Served as Chief Judge from 1981-1986. Assumed senior status on October 23, 1987. Service terminated on December 22, 2009, upon his death."

[Source; United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit website https://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/judge-john-c-godbold]