Obit of Townson, Joseph Patrick (t525) - Pittsburg County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 26 Jul 2004 Return to Pittsburg County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pittsburg/pittsburg.htm ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Bakersfield Californian Joseph Patrick Townson Nov. 5, 1931 Jan. 11, 2003 Joe was born in McAlester, Oklahoma and came to California in the Dust Bowl migration with his family. He was an enterprising child who started his own business selling sodas to the farm workers in the fields, and he found his calling way back then. He was a very social person, who loved visiting with everyone, so being a salesman was the perfect job for him. Dad had a wonderful life. He met and married his sweetheart Mary, in 1952, and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding annivesary. He and Mary raised three daughters, and he was overjoyed with the births of all five grandchildren. He always said that he had had a heck of a ride in his life. Joe was a great pilot, and he owned the Tehachapi Airport business for many years. During which time he made lots of friends. He also did a lot of search and rescue operations, flying his home-built Cub over the mountains to locate downed aircraft. He was a hero to many people, but most of all to his family. Dad went through a lot of illnesses throughout his life, but he always managed to fool the doctors when they said he wasnt going to make it. After his second diagnosis with throat cancer, he fought bravely to hang on for his family, even though he must have been suffering. He was one tough old bird. Joe is survived by the love of his life, Mary; his daughters and their husbands, Terri and Trey Roper, Karen and John McCormick, and Trish and Jim Honeycutt. He also leaves behind a legacy of precious grandchildren that he loved so much, Josh, Daniel, Alex, Tori, and Kristin; his sisters and brothers, Iva Helm, Rachel Ritchie, Dorse Townson, Virginia Clark, Hazel Miller, and George Townson. Although its so hard to let go of one so well-loved, we know that he is now flying with the angels, and visiting and chatting with family and friends. We love you Pop, and well miss you until we meet again. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 16, 2003, at 2:00 p.m., at Hillcrest Chapel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Pittsburg County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pittsburg/pittsburg.htm