Glen Allen Townsend

To our God we Glorify you for the life of this precious man. We are grateful he is now singing forever to God as he always loved to do.

Glen was born in Ironton, Ohio, but in many ways, his story truly began when his family moved to Morristown, Tennessee. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, Sandra, while he was sitting at the lifeguard stand. It began the great love story of his life. Sandra remained by his side for more than 60 years, through every chapter that followed.

Glen and Sandra married as he put on the uniform of the U.S. Air Force and prepared to deploy to Vietnam. His service to his country, and his identity as a Veteran, remained a source of pride and purpose throughout his life. For Glen, though, loyal service was never confined to a uniform. It was simply how he lived.

He was hardworking. Glen was the first in his family to go to college. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and was a proud Volunteer. He was an esteemed student, classmate, and Volunteer super fan. He worked in healthcare as a medical sales representative. He loved building relationships with the clinician community.

He loves Jesus! He was a deacon at his church home for over 50 years and enjoyed serving in the widows ministry.

Together, Glen and Sandra built a family grounded in love, laughter, loyalty, and the certainty that they would always show up for one another. Glen is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra; his daughters, Robin Layne Townsend Geddes and Kelly Ann Townsend; his grandchildren, Perry Allise Cannon Thode and Rachel Ann Geddes; bonus children John and Nancy; bonus grandchildren Daniel and

Kara; his bonus brother, Larry Anderson; his nieces, Wendy, Jackie, and Tiffany; his nephew, Timmy; and many other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Frances Robinson Townsend and Roscoe Albert Townsend; his bonus parents, Virginia Dare Layne Anderson, Harold Waldemar Anderson; his siblings, Greg, Letitia, and Tim Townsend; and his special grandparents, Addie and Charlie Robinson, and Florence Jenkins, Sallie and John Layne and Selma and Andy Anderson.

Family was the center of Glen’s world, but his circle of loved ones extended far beyond the walls of his home. It included nearly everyone fortunate enough to cross his path, from lifeguards at the neighborhood pool to the servers at favorite restaurants such as Taste of Texas and Houston’s. And of course the people who knew his daily breakfast sandwich order at the local Chick-Fil-A.

After all, service to others was at the core of who Glen was.

He was a caretaker by instinct, a mischievous jokester by nature, and a friend to people wherever he found them. Glen rarely missed an opportunity to make someone laugh, lend a hand to one in need, or introduce a child to his unforgettable Donald Duck impression. He loved spending time by the water, chasing firetrucks, making stained glass, working with wood, making sure his yard was pristine. He had a way of making everyday encounters feel like

friendships and ordinary moments become stories worth retelling. He often passed mints to strangers. He joyfully wished everyone a Merry Christmas…even in July. He lived every day with jovial laughter and was happy throughout his Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia battle.

While Glen’s absence leaves an incredible void in the lives of those who loved him, so much of him will forever remain in the stories that will continue to be told, in the family that adored him, in the lessons he taught (including the proper way to wash a car), and in the love that he gave so freely.

His daughters would know the love of Christ because they had the selfless love of an earthly father not only shown to them, but also shown to the stranger.

His grandchildren were adored and they adored their Dado. His impact on them was profound, they shared in the million little things, from late night antics, orange slushes, I-Hop breakfasts and singing in the car.

Glen will be deeply missed and forever remembered, and we are celebrating his eternal presence with God. Hearing stories about the impact Glen had on others brings comfort and joy in the grief journey. We are thankful for each and every one. They are like a healing balm.

A funeral service will be held on July 25th at 3:00 pm at Tallowood Baptist Church. A burial with military honors will be held on July 27th at 9:30am at Houston National Cemetery. A visitation and celebration of Glen’s life will be held on July 28th immediately following. Contact family for details.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to the Alzheimers Association or Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

Glen would encourage each of us to honor his life in the simplest way: by paying the love forward; pray for and love your spouse with a selfless love; love your children and grandchildren ridiculously and fabulously; love others, serve with joy; and love Jesus. We encourage each reader of this obituary to love God and, if you don’t know God, ask one of the family, we would love to share about His

amazing love with you. When you eat something sweet, think of him. He loved candy, and was truly sweet as sugar. To his sweet girls, he loved lipulated even more than the granulated.

Psalm 23 will forever be a comforting verse to our family.

Links to donate:

https://donorservices.alz.org/page/FUNYAFYQDKA?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google_brand_alz_donations&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1707986387&gbraid=0AAAAAD8nX1qHsnyIYDPBELzxieBMtPf84&gclid=CjwKCAjwmozTBhAeEiwAkEGZziuMbUWS4nXLW0NULsE5aME2DhxsjKLNCcyBR-BjfhI6UGRsg31oNhoCHuUQAvD_BwE

https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/?form=supporthiddenheroes