Darrell Jack Townsend

Darrell Jack Townsend of Molalla, Oregon, passed from the arms of loved ones into the embrace of Our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend, Darrell had battled an aggressively spreading cancer, and made the courageous decision to stop treatments that would not change the outcome. Described by family as a man of integrity and honor, Darrell believed in Jesus Christ and the promise of Eternal Life. Born Dec. 2, 1940 in Waterloo, Iowa, Darrell attended West Waterloo High School where he excelled in football an wrestling. At 16, he joined the Marines as a reservist and was called to active duty at 17. He soon afterward changed service to the U.S. Air Force, where he spent over 21 years in electronics and avionics, much of that time assigned to Strategic Air Command. In 1978, he retired from Williams AFB in Arizona as an instructor with the rank of Master Sergeant. He parlayed his electronics expertise into a successful career with financial technology provider Diebold, where he served as regional customer service engineer for much of the Southwestern United States, based in Chandler. After 10 years with Diebold, he spent 10 years with Bank of America in Phoenix, where he was responsible for the design for ATM placements and operations. After the death of his wife Judith Rae (Judy) Hariper 2002, he moved to Molalla, where he eventually met Suzanne (Sue) C. Petersen, whom he married in 2006. Darrell joined the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in Molalla and attained the coveted Fellowship Degree in 2013. He also belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Woodburn, Oregon. While living in Arizona, he was a member of American Legion Post 35 in Chandler, as well as the Legion’s 40 and 8 Club. Darrell enjoyed golf, driving, NASCAR, reading hunting, history, John Deere paraphernalia and other collectibles. He also enjoyed woodworking, especially building balsa model airplanes. Besides his wife, Sue, Darrell is survived by daughters Lisa Hariper of Chandler, Arizona, Kristy Darrow of Evergreen, Colorado, and Jackie Garcia, Gina Solemsaas and Jennifer Sick of Bismarck, North Dakota; sons Tim Hariper of Chandler and Jim Hariper of Bismarck; sisters Judy Townsend of Mulino, Oregon, and Susan Martens, Jackie Hunt and Jan Townsend of Houston, Texas; brothers Richard Townsend of Mulino, and Jim Townsend, Don Martens and Robert Hunt of Houston; grandchildren Breanna Moore, Matt Moore and Chase Moore of Chandler, Tim Hariper Jr., of Yuma, Arizona, and Blair Hembre and Krista Kenison of Coos Bay, Oregon; his first wife – and mother of Lisa and Kristy – Janice Goodner of Olney, Illinois; as well as four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents Jack Warren Townsend and Charlotte Lucille Grady Townsend; and stepmother Betty Townsend. Besides his parents, he considered his late uncle Clarence Townsend, late aunt Esther Grady Mauer and late grandmothers Christina G. Grady and Vera Townsend among his greatest influences. A military funeral will be held 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. A celebration of his life will follow at 2 p.m. in the Molalla Moose Lodge.