In 1923 at the age of 12 years old, R.L. "Jack" Godfrey left the family farm and worked for a tailor shop. Four years later Jack opened his first tailor shop. At the age of 18, Jack opened his first dry cleaning plant in Dallas.
 
In 1934, Jack married Ellen and moved from Texas to Ohio. Jack stayed in the dry-cleaning industry,representing dry-Cleaning equipment manufacturers as the Jack Godfrey Equipment company. During this time Jack and Ellen were blessed with four children (Jack, Jim, Ron and Mary)
 
In the 1930s, Jack opened the first 30-Minutes Drycleaners.
 
In the 1950s, the 3-pant special was introduced in the dry cleaning business.
 
In the 1960s Jack Godfrey & Sons was incorporated and the first Comet Cleaners was opened in Arlington.
 
In the 1970s Comet Cleaners became specialists in the clothing retail business.
 
In the late 70's Comet was on its way to adding as many as 43 stores in one year.
 

By the 1990s, there were over 350 locations within 17 states and Mexico.
 
In 1995, Comet Cleaners was instrumental in testing, marketing and implementing a new environmentally safe dry-cleaning solvent Exxon DF2000.