John Michael Townsend, born in San Diego, California on 06/04/1943, has passed on to be with our Lord on 01/17/2024 in Reno, Nevada.
Born to parents Shirley and Robert Dawson Townsend, he was the eldest of 3 boys in his family. He enrolled in the Air Force and after his discharge, he met and married Charla and started their family.
His interests included computers, telecommunications, HAM radio, firearms and building Estes rockets with his family.
He was an engineer with Pacific Bell and a volunteer firefighter in the Lemmon Valley area outside Reno for several years. He then moved his young family to Ely in the late 70s and established the beginnings of White Pine Cable TV in partnership with Joe Christensen. He also provided radio telephones to outlying mines and ranches during his tenure.
He was active in the local community, Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church and Boy Scouts of America and was known to bring his “semi-famous” 6-gun chili to events.
Legal troubles took him out of the community, but he was able to serve his time and was paroled several years ago. His final days were under the care of an assisted living center, where he passed, in Reno. He was 80 years old.
He is survived by his 2 younger brothers; his ex-spouse, Charla Townsend; their two children, Chris Townsend and Sheila Waldon (Jim); and two grandchildren.
He will be laid to rest at the VA cemetery in Fernley, Nevada. A small graveside ceremony is planned with honor guard in attendance. May he now be at peace.
Any donations in his memory can be sent to the VA administration to help out other honored veterans that keep us free and safe.
Leave a Reply