Kern County Obituaries

Joseph Patrick Townson

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

Nov. 5, 1931 � Jan. 11, 2003
Joseph Patrick Townson passed away on January 11, 2003 after a brave battle 
against cancer.

Joe was born in McAllister, Oklahoma November 5, 1931. He came to California 
with his family in the Dust Bowl migration. He was an enterprising child who 
started his own business selling sodas to farm workers in the field, 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 anniversary. Joe and Mary raised 
three daughters, ad he was overjoyed with the births of all five of their 
grandchildren. He always said that he had had a heck of a ride in his life.
 
Joe was a great pilot. H owned the Tehachapi Airport business for many years 
during which time he made many 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 may 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 wasn't going to make it. After his 
second diagnosis  with throat cancer, he fought bravely to hang on for his 
family, event though he must have been suffering. He was one tough 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 it's 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 we'll miss you until we meet again.

Visitation was held Thursday, January 16, 2003 at Hillcrest Mortuary followed 
by funeral services. 

NOTE: Photo At: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htmphotos/kern/