Tributes

Albert Ross Townsend Jr. age 93 of San Antonio TX, passed away Monday March 12, 2018. His services will be held at Mission Parks Funeral Home at 1700 S.E. Military Dr., San Antonio TX on Wednesday March 21, 2018, at 10:00 am. He was born in San Antonio, Texas to Lucille and Albert Ross Townsend on April 21, 1923, and was a lifetime member of Madison Square Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years Jeanne and his brother William B. Townsend. He leaves behind his three children, Barbara Ann Ferguson, Attica, Indiana, Vincent Ross Townsend and his wife Becky Slangal Townsend, Austin Texas, and Allen Ray Townsend and with Kelley Patenaude, Townsend, Livingston Texas. Also six grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. We wish to extend our appreciation to all the staff at the Elvira Cisneros Senior Center for all the work they do for seniors and a special thank you to the ladies of the Purple Shirt lunch group whom Albert treasured their friendship and enjoyed his time with them at the center. Albert is a true American hero. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters, and three Purple Hearts for his heroic actions in the South Pacific. He was the squad leader of one of the first Navy Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) that is the precursor to today’s Navy Seals. His Navy career also gained recognition as a member of the Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon for crossing the 180 Meridian and the Order of Neptune for crossing the Equator, and a plank recipient for commissioning the Destroyer USS Columbia 47 After the war he enlisted in the Navy reserves in San Antonio for the remainder of his 24 year Navy career serving as the Chief Boatswain Mate and Range Master for the Unit As a civilian, he retired after 30 years from Kelly AFB as an aeronautical engineering specialist, and pursued his passion of wood carving, making and selling wooden ducks suitable for display and presentation grade historic black powder rifles. He was a positive impact on all who knew him and will be dearly missed. He will be laid to rest at San Jose Cemetery next to his wife of 60 years Jeanne. In lieu of flowers, you may make a charitable donation to the WellMed Charitable Foundation.org in San Antonio TX.

Tributes

Albert Ross Townsend Jr

April 21, 1924 - March 12, 2018