TJ Townsend passed away Friday, March 30, 2012, at the Meridian in Galveston, Texas.

He was born January 11, 1925, in Galveston, Texas, the third child of Edmond and Sadie Townsend. A BOI, TJ worked for many years at HL&P until his retirement in 1982. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While he was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, he met his wife, Dorothy Eldridge Townsend. TJ and Dorothy were married February 7, 1947.

TJ was an avid baseball fan and played league ball; he also coached Little League. He couldn’t wait for hunting season to open so he could head for the deer lease with his son, grandsons and friends. He enjoyed fishing and being outdoors, where he tended his garden and fed the birds. He bowled in his church league for many years, and enjoyed sharing stories of his youth in Galveston with his grandkids.

TJ is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his daughters, Darlene Kulwicki and Karen Levine; his son, Baby Boy Townsend; his parents; sister, Sadie Rumph; and brother, Charles Townsend.

He is survived by his daughter, Roxie Graham and her husband, Nyles, of Santa Fe; son, Mitchell Townsend and his wife, Toni, of Galveston; brother, Herbert Townsend of La Marque; grandchildren, Lisa Graham; Jason Franklin; Eric Graham; Erin Graham; Michael Townsend; Christina White; Joshua Holt; Jennifer Rodriguez; Todd Engstrom; Darian Levine; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and other nieces and nephews.

TJ’s family will receive visitors from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, Tuesday, April 3rd, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Wednesday, April 4th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home, 3028 Broadway in Galveston. Burial will follow at Hayes Grace Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas.

Pallbearers will Sandy Childress and Don Neuweiler, his hunting buddies, and his grandsons: Jason, Franklin, and Eric Graham, Michael Townsend, and Joshua Holt.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Meridian Nursing Home, Hospice Care Team, Dee Dee McCandlis, and companion Sylvia Norris for their help and support over the years.