Dalton Lynn Townsend

Dalton Lynn Townsend, age 82, of Knoxville, TN, passed away on September 27, 2025, surrounded by family. Born March 25, 1943, in Jackson, TN to Mary Sue (Wesson) and Mahlon “Lynn” Townsend, Dalton was the oldest of three children. As a toddler, Dalton resided both in Jackson and Oak Ridge, TN, but moved with his family to Knoxville in 1947 and resided there for over seventy years. Dalton was an Eagle Scout and attended Young High School in South Knoxville, graduating in the top ten of his class and serving as president of both the key club and his senior class. He attended the University of Tennessee and became a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity where he developed abiding friendships that continued until his death. As a senior, he was awarded the honorary title of Torchbearer, the University’s highest award for leadership and service. While at UT, he met the love of his life, Mary “Carolyn” Dominick, whom he married on 18 August 1967. After graduation, Dalton attended law school at UT where he served as an editor of Tennessee Law Review and graduated with top honors as Order of the Coif. He was a member of the ROTC in college and, after his admission to the Bar in 1968, he served as an Army Captain on active duty, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Upon his return, Dalton began his law practice and joined the firm of Hodges Doughty and Carson in 1973 where he practiced for over 40 years. Dalton’s legal career was marked by confidence, leadership, integrity, hard work and client service. He was known as a tough litigator who vigorously pursued his clients’ positions with expertise and determination, both in and out of the courtroom. Dalton was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as chairman of the Tennessee Bar Foundation and Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. He was a member of the Knoxville Bar Association Board of Governors, Tennessee Bar Association Committee for the Study of Standards of Professional Conduct, and the American Board of Trial Advocates and was listed in The Best Lawyers in America from 1995-2016.

Dalton was very active in the Knoxville community serving as chairman of Cherokee Country Club from 2003 – 2005 and as a Eucharistic Minister for the Church of the Ascension, where he and Carolyn were members. Dalton remained married to Carolyn for 53 years until her death in 2021. They raised two daughters and cherished their role as parents. They lived life to the fullest, often socializing with their neighbors and friends and traveling extensively all over the world. Dalton loved to play golf, fish, and spend time at his mountain house in Sevierville, TN.

Dalton was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn, parents Mary Sue and Mahlon Lynn Townsend, and sister Linda Moulton. He is survived by his children Elizabeth Townsend Smith (Jeremy) of Raleigh, NC and Julie Townsend Gontarek (Paul) of Brentwood, TN; grandchildren Zachary, Matthew and Colin Smith and Carrie and Andrew Gontarek; brother Robert Townsend (Laura) and sister-in-law Barbara (J.T.) Alexander; and nine dear nieces and nephews who are scattered throughout the Southeast.

A military service will be held at the pavilion of Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37917 on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. In the event of rain, the service will be held at the mausoleum. In-lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/) or to the Church of the Ascension (www.knoxvilleascension.org).