Raymond M. Townsend, age 104, passed away on July 27, 2023 at Monument Rehabilitation and Care in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Visitation will be on Monday, July 31, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel with burial to follow at Mitchell Valley Cemetery. Fond memories and messages of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Townsend Family.
Raymond was born December 8, 1918, to Eugene and Lillie Townsend. They resided in the Scottsbluff area until moving to Missouri when Raymond was eleven months old. Raymond was eight years old when the family moved to California. In 1928, they returned to the Scottsbluff area. At the age of seventeen, Raymond moved to Ohio, where he distinguished himself as a welder.
In 1942, Raymond, having been inducted into the US Army was sent to England, where he was made responsible as a maintenance foreman for a hospital unit. During this time of service, he met and married Margaret Oliver on April 28, 1945. Upon discharge from the service, they made their home on a small farm under Table Mountain in Goshen County, Wyoming. In 1955, they moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska where Raymond continued a career as a building contractor, which spanned over fifty years. Born to Raymond and Margaret were three sons: Albert, Dale, and Ray Lynn.
Raymond was a dedicated family man who adhered to the spiritual principles taught by Jesus Christ. He held these principles above all others and accepting Christ’s dominion brought him long years of peace and joy. He taught his sons and others many life skills and generously helped employees become self-employed builders.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight siblings; one granddaughter, Heather Townsend; one grandson, Christopher Lynn Townsend; his loving wife, Margaret Townsend of seventy-four years; and son, Dale Townsend.
He is survived by two sons, Albert (Sheri) Townsend of Buffalo, Wyoming, and Ray Lynn Townsend of Scottsbluff; six grandchildren: Trevor, Amber, Beverly, Becky, Brenda, and Marlie; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Raymond lived in his own home until he was 102 years of age. The last two and a half years, he has resided at Monument Rehab and Care Center in Scottsbluff, where he met and made many new friends. He will be long remembered and loved.