SMITHFIELD, VA. F. Byron Townsend, 83, passed away Sunday, January 13, 2013, after an extended illness.
Born in Crane, Texas, Byron was the son of the late Owen S. and Mary F. Rinsinger Townsend.
Byron lived life to the fullest. In college he played football for the Texas University Longhorns.
He worked for some 25 years for Unocal Chemical Co. He worked the oil fields in Alaska and was also a commercial fisherman.
Byron is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ramona Banks Townsend; his daughter, Tracey Eppolito and her husband, Jerry, of Smithfield, with whom he had made his home for the past 6 years; his son, Mickey Byron Townsend and his wife, Teri, of Fredericksburg, Texas; four grandchildren, Faith, Grace, Drew and Mikayla; and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family.
There will be a celebration of his life in San Antonio, Texas, February 2, 2013. Place and time to be announced. Then, Byron's ashes will be taken to Alaska to be spread in the Cook Inlet by his son.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Mr. Townsend may be made to the Longhorn Foundation at The University of Texas, for the benefit of its student-athletes, at P.O. Box 7399, Austin, TX, 78713-7399 or Ronald MacDonald House Charities, at http://www.rmhc.org/.
Arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, (757) 357-2979, Smithfield, VA.
