Richard L. Townsend, 64, of Coeburn, Va., passed away to rejoin his Lord on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at Bristol Select Rehabilitation Hospital in Bristol, Tenn. Mr. Townsend was a native of Carter County and a son of the late Carl E. and Jean D. Townsend. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Wayne Townsend and Michael “Tank” Townsend, and a sister, Linda Townsend Van Meter.
Mr. Townsend was a 1971 graduate of Elizabethton High School and a retired veteran of the United States Navy with 24 years of service.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Kennedy Townsend, of the home; a son, Richard Townsend and daughter-in-law, Angel; a daughter, Elizabeth Townsend; three grandsons, A.J. Townsend, Draven Lowe and Skyler Mitchell; three granddaughters, Madison, Trinity and Charlie Townsend, all of Elizabethton; three sisters, Carmen Van Meter and her husband, John, Camanda Irick and her husband, Jerry, of Elizabethton, and Susan Heaton and her husband, Ric, of Wake Forest, N.C.; and a brother, Sam Townsend, and his wife, Ely, of Zambales, Philippines. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A graveside service to honor the life of Mr. Townsend will be conducted at 10:45 a.m. Monday, December 12, at Mountain Home National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Navy and the Carter County Honor Guard. Music will be under the direction of James Cruthers, bagpiper. Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Stidham, Rick Clark, Danny Deal, Anthony Townsend and A.J. Townsend. Those wishing to attend are invited to join the family at the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 2335 Knob Creek Road, #101, Johnson City, TN 37604. Please designate all donations “In Memory of Richard. L. Townsend.” Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Townsend family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.