James Nelson "Jim" Townsend
May 2, 1929 ~ December 23, 2009
Services:
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD with Pastor Rob McNutt offciating. Interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a later date.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM.
James Nelson “Jim” Townsend, 80 of California, MD died December 23, 2009 at his residence. Born May 2, 1929 in Kansas City, MO, he was the son of the late Nelson A. and Amelia Buinger Townsend. He was the loving husband of Marica Kucko Townsend whom he married on February 20th, 1960 in Naples, Italy. Jim is also survived by his children; Sue Ann Lass and her husband Daniel of Brighton CO, Thomas J. Townsend and his wife Dawn of Lake Mary, FL, his grandchildren James Lass, Rickey D. Townsend, Jr. and his fiancé Christie Passmore, Aaron T. Townsend, Brendan Machules, Evan Machules, Shannon Moler and her husband Tony, Rhonda Hofer and her boyfriend Charlie Clark, his great grandchildren; Corbin Lass, Rickey D. Townsend, III., Jade Passmore, his siblings; William Townsend and Donald Townsend both of Kansas and Patsy Hawkins of Oklahoma. He is also survived by his good friends John and Maggie Wilkinson, Bob and Tina Heisner and his Faith Bible Church Family. He was preceded in death by his son Rickey D. Townsend and brother Thomas Louis Townsend. Jim graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS, with his good friend Edward Asner. Jim began his thirty years of dedicated service in the United States Navy on June 12th, 1947. His duty stations included; Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL, Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA, Anacostia, DC, Honolulu, HI, Olathe, KS, Naples, Italy, NAS Glynco, GA, USS Shangri-La, USS Independence, NAS Norfolk, VA, LPH Guam and MOTU 12, Mayport, FL. His thirty years of service ended on July 31st, 1977. Jim attended Tidewater Community College and graduated in 1977 with an Electronics Degree. He moved to St. Mary’s County from Orange Park, FL, in 1977 and worked for Tracor as a Section Head MK XII Project Manager for 22 years, retiring in May of 1999. He belonged to VFW 2632, American Legion Post 162, FRA, DAV 26, National Chief Petty Officer’s Association, Military Order if the Cootie, and the GCA. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be said at 7:00PM. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 11:00AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD, with Fr. Rob McNutt officiating. Interment will be held on January 26, 2010 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at 11:00 AM. Contributions in memory of Jim may be sent to The Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 339, Lexington Park, MD 20653.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
“To the Townsend Family, we are sorry to hear of Jims passing, your family will be in our thoughts and Prayers “
“Our family was deeply saddened by the news of Jim’s passing. We have been neighbors for over 30 years and have become very fond of their family. Mary you will be in our thoughts and prayers. We will try to make it up for the funeral. You have our heartfelt sympathy. Love, Jason, Kim and Amanda”
“We were very sad to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a fine fellow to work with and so devoted to his family. Mary, you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Mary, Sue Ann and Tom. We are so sorry for your sadness. We will all feel the loss of Jim’s presence. However, praise be to God that we will all be reunited one day. Where there will be no more sadness, no more pain, no more suffering. Until that day, please know how much we love you.”
“Mary and family, Thanks for letting me know about Jim’s passing. A truely great man and a fine example for all of us to follow. He was an inspiration to me with his dedication to the job and his desire to teach and guide all workers. My time at Tracor with your Jim over the years will come back as such wonderful memories. There is a deep void when someone so close is not there any more, but “we know who holds the future and it is worth the living, just because HE lives.” I will treasure knowing and working with Jim. I will keep your family in my prayers. “
“Mary and family, I worked with Jim several years and can honestly say he was truly a joy to work with. He always had a smile and a “Let’s get this job done” attitude. I would like to share this poem with you. It’s one I have carried around with me for years and one that is appropriate to many upon their loss. I don’t know the name of the author but I hope you learn to love it as much as I do and that when the time is right; share it as I am sharing it with you. “Do not stand by my grave and weep, “I am not there, I do not sleep. “I am a thousand winds that blow; “I am the diamond glints on the snow. “I am the sunlight on ripened grain; “I am the gentle autumn’s rain. “When you awaken in the morning’s hush, “I am the swift uplifting rush “Of quiet birds in circled flight. “I am the soft star that shines at night. “Do not stand at my grave and cry. “I am not there; I did not die.” “
“Mary, we are very sorry to hear about Jim’s passing but at least he is happier now. He will be waiting for us all now. If you need ANYTHING, please do not hesitate to call. Our number is in the church directory. Love Joe and Christine.”
“Mary I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I always looked forward to seeing you when I would go pick Erika up. She sends her love as well. If you need anything all you need to do is ask. You and your family will be in my prayers. “
“Jim will be sorely missed by me and my family. I have many good memories of him before I came to work for Tracor and afterwards as well. He has been a good neighbor and a good friend as well. Mary, you and your family will be in thoughts and prayers during this time but he is with the Lord now and the angels are rejoicing that he has finally come home.”
“Grampa Jim/Master Chief you will be sorely missed. I really miss you and enjoyed talking with you. Heaven needed you to provide the angels and good people with additional leadership and you can do that. Rest in Peace and thank you and Mary for the opportunity to know you. Love ya and miss ya.”
“Mary, so very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I know this time for you and Sue, and all is so very sad. Jim is with Ricky Dave now, and they are both watching over you all. I loved Jim and you as dear friends. Jim will be greatly missed. My prayers are with you at this time. May God give you comfort and peace. Love You Joannie Bartron”
“I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Jim’s passing, I know he is up in heaven no longer in pain, and looking over his entire family. Mrs. Mary if their is any thing you need i am a phone call away, your family will be in my prayers “
“May God wrap his loving arms around you and bring you peace. Jim was a wonderful, caring co-worker for many years at Tracor. I always said he was one fo the last true gentlemen left around. We will have his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
“You and your family will be in my prayers. Jim was a great boss and mentor for me and helped me out when I needed it most, I was was shocked and sad to hear of his passing and will pray for your guidance through this time of saddness and hard times.”
“To the Townsend family, my sincere condolences. Jim was one of my first supervisors at Tracor and one of the truly great gentlemen that I have had the pleasure of working with. May God’s peace be with you.”
“The news of Jims passing saddens me. Jim was a great friend to me,and he will be missed. Mary (Mom)I am sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers”
“I am saddened by the newst of Jim’s passing. He hired me right out of the Navy and because of him, I was able to attain many good values that has helped me to this day. I owe a lot to him in his guidance and understanding.”
“Mary and family, What a guy! I personally appreciate Jim’s ability to make me feel special. I suspect that his family loved him for that ability as well as many other gifts. Jim was a tough man with a tender heart. “
“When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. You’ve got to take the good with the bad, smile with the sad, love what you’ve got, and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from mistakes, but never regret. We are deepley saddened to hear of Grandpa’s passing. Our love and prayers are with you even if we’re not there to give them. I LOVE YOU GRANDMA, ALWAYS!!! “
“Mary and family my prayers are with you. Jim was a great man who has left a legacy behind that will live on in my heart and Faith Bible Church for the years to come. When he arrived on a Sunday morning the church stood a little taller and his love for us all made us better for his being there. Mary know that today he is in a better place with your son Rickey. May God comfort you and family into the future knowing that he above all else he was a great man of service to his God, family and country. God Bless!”
“Dearest Townsend Family, It sad to hear of Jims passing. The memories I have of him go back 40 plus years and they are all warm and wonderful memories. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Much love, Antonella”
“Dear teta Marica,Sue Ann, Thomas and the rest of the family, so sorry for the loss of uncle Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. He will forever be alive in the memories in your hearts. Love from my family to yours.”
“Dearest Marica, Jim and family, I have loved you for 49 years and I still do. Good bye, Jim! Please,with God’s help and together with Ricky, watch over Marica.”
“I was very sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. I (Betsey)had the pleasure of knowing him and working with him at Tracor while there for 7 years. He was a good man and always ready to answer my questions when editing documents. It was a blessing to know him. “
“My heart is saddened to hear of our loss of Jim. My memories of our many summers together in Virginia Beach and later of your gentle amd treasured guidance on your visits to Florida have and will stay with me forever. I love you all and know that I am standing with you during this most difficult time. Peace Jim…Say hi to Ricky for me. All my love. Kathy”
“Marica & Family: I am so sorry to hear of your husband passing away. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. May God bless you! Janice”
“Mary and family, please accept my sincerest condolences on Jim’s passing. Jim was an inspiration to all who came into contact with him. Through him we learned what it was to be tough, to be gentle, to be strong, to be humble, to be a fighter, to trust in God; and the sacredness of life even in suffering. He left this world for a better one where we mutually hope to gather together with him again in the presence of our wonderful Lord. Until then, Jim leaves behind the legacy of a wonderful family that will continue to a conduit of God’s blessings to this world. “
“Marica, We have been friends for many years,and enjoyed many good times together. I know you and Sue Ann and Tommy will miss Jim so much. His suffering is over and God has taken him to be with Ricky. God Bless all your family and know that our prayers are with you now”
“Aunt Mary,Sue,Tommy&all family we are very sorry for the passing of uncle Jim. you are all in our thoughts & prayers. Aunt Mary, Sue & Tommy I could tell from the short time I knew uncle Jim that he was a great family man and husband. I wish I could of had more of a relationship with him .I know you’ll all miss him very much,and I will miss knowing and talking to him also, hopefully our hearts will fall together again in time. If you need anything let me know. Love you all. Jerry”
“Living in this time we are often unaware of the sacrifices our servicemen have committed for our country, The United States of America. Their loyalty to families whether it is blood relations, extended families and friends or to their comrades at arms, goes beyond that of being outstanding. They have witness things during their tours of duty that we have only read about or heard about on TV or radio. They have all shown a commitment that is rooted in love and character for all those known and unknown personally to them. They have established brotherly bonds like none other, a dedication to each other that goes beyond that of words but of heart and soul. I salute all of you servicemen for making that choice, to fight for and honor God and our country and countrymen and for truly serving America. I am very proud to be a son of a US Veteran. I remember my dad as being a man who has served his country and his fellow countrymen for most of his life. A man who lovingly understood the difference between right and wrong and taught most of those around him by living the example out in his walk with Jesus Christ. He has shown me the new commandment that Jesus gave us in John 13:34, to love one another as He has loved us. Thank you dad for all that you have done for me. You have truly walked in agape, God’s love. “