Jimmy Leon Townsend

Jimmy Leon Townsend of Rusk was born March 2, 1935, and passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Rusk. He was an advocate of all sports and had deep roots as a coach to many, especially baseball players on the Townsend (T’s) team. He served in the U.S. Army; was an engineer on the Alaskan pipeline; Texas Department of Transportation; a local building contractor; and was a devoted father, grandfather, outdoorsman and coach.

Our sweet father is survived in death by our mother, Audrey Townsend of Rusk; brother, Wayne and wife Betty Townsend of Rusk; son, Brian and wife Misty Townsend of Alto; daughters, Julie Townsend of Rusk and Lisa Townsend Parr and husband Robert (Bob) Parr of Decatur; grandsons, Hunter and Todd Hayden Townsend; granddaughters, Katie Farmer and husband Lee -- with great grandchildren, Tyler and Derek Jordan, Kayla Middleton, Shayla Townsend, Emma Duvall and her father Russell Duvall; sister, Patricia; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Jennifer Townsend; father and mother, Vernon and Anna Townsend; and brothers, Melvin and Ted Townsend.

There will be a memorial service at Wallace Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Rusk, 2 p.m., Sunday, March 1, with the Rev. Don Copeland officiating.

The family asks that donations be made to ALS or your local youth sports associations.