Max Leroy Townsend

Max Leroy Townsend September 14, 1923 March 8, 2013 Max Townsend peacefully passed away on Friday, March 8, 2013 in Bellingham, WA at age 89 with his son Tim and his daughter Toni by his side. Max was born September 14, 1923 to Vivian and Percy Townsend in Washington, KS. During his school years, Max enjoyed taking drama classes and performing in school plays, earning an award for Excellence in Dramatics. He continued on the stage in a choral quartet group and as the singer for the dance band. After high school, Max enlisted in the Navy during WWII where he saw combat at Okinawa and elsewhere in the Pacific Theater. He served as a Sonarman 2nd Class and Petty Officer 1st Class aboard the Destroyer, the U.S.S. Metcalf. Max is a Plank Owner for the Metcalf serving as an original crewmember when she was launched, commissioned and her maiden voyage in 1944. He remained aboard the Metcalf serving through VJ Day in 1945 and until the ship was decommissioned in March, 1946. After the Navy, Max settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. He enjoyed a variety of jobs from delivering ice and delivering mail while dabbling with sprint cars and earning his private pilots license. Twice he went to see the Indianapolis 500. Max went to work for a pipeline contractor in Martinez, CA and quickly worked his way from laborer to foreman to superintendent. In 1951 Max and Barbara Jean Lockman were wed in Reno, NV. They had a daughter Susan Lee. In 1955 Max wed Shirley Jean Mendonca of Castroville, CA. Together they had three children, Teresa Ann, Toni Marie and Timothy Allen. During this time, Max worked in his primary career in sales of water pipe that helped develop many thriving California and Washington State communities. A story he told often, that in 1959, he was in Honolulu doing educational training when Statehood was announced for Hawaii. In 1969, he relocated to Bellevue, WA where he resided for 37 years. He left the field of sales and went to work for the Suburban Airporter. He made his final move to Bellingham, WA in 2006 to be near his son, Tim, and his family. Max was a lifelong fan of football. While living in the San Francisco Bay Area he attended many 49er games. After moving to the Seattle area he became a loyal Seahawk fan. He always enjoyed music from the big band era of his youth. Max embraced life with humor and always enjoyed hearing or sharing a good story or joke. He looked forward to his morning coffee klatch at his last residence at the Woodrose Apartments, where he could share his many tales. For those who knew Max, anytime there was a departure with a See you later the response was almost always Is that a promise or a threat? Some of his most oft repeated sayings came from his daughters. He liked to say that Tonis favorite swear word was Bummers, or chuckle at the sage advice with Susie to Never fry bacon naked. Frequently with Teresa, with a wry smile should I fib or tell the truth? And also, A women’s work is never done. You see, when at rest, dust is settling, tummies are getting hungry, and the sheets are getting dirty. To his son, with whom he shared a love of football, when life threw you a curveball, he inevitably said to Drop back 5 yards and punt. Max is preceded by his first wife, Barbara. He is survived by his second wife, Shirley and his four children, Susan (and her husband Rob) Harper of Benicia, CA; Teresa (and her husband Mark) Moen of San Ramon, CA; Toni Jacobs of Redwood City, CA; and Tim (and his wife Lori) Townsend of Bellingham, WA; his seven grandchildren and his four great grandchildren. We will always remember Max for what is affectionately known as Popcorn, referring to Pop telling his corny jokes. As he might say, Now, I have a whole new audience. A Farewell Tribute A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 2, at 10AM, at Moles Farewell Tributes, 2465 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham, WA. Farewell Tribute Information A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 2, at 10AM, at Moles Farewell Tributes, 2465 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham, WA.

Max Leroy Townsend

September 14, 1923 - March 8, 2013