Kenneth Townsend

Kenneth Townsend

April 3, 1933 ~ June 24, 2016

Kenneth Townsend was born in the family home, 447 South 4th Street on April 3, 1933 to T.B. Townsend, Jr. and Lynne Burntrager Townsend.  He was the youngest of four children, T.B. Townsend III, Shirley Townsend Butterworth, and Lorell Townsend Pixler.  Kenneth’s grandfather, T.B. Townsend was a Montrose pioneer, donating the land on which Montrose High School is located.

Kenneth attended school in Montrose, graduating with the Class of 1951.  During his high school years, Kenneth played third base on the 1950 State Championship Baseball Team, forward on the State Basketball Team which earned second place, and played Tight-End on the 1950 State Championship Football Team.

Kenneth attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, California graduating in 1955.  Following his graduation from college, he served two years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Aludra and was stationed in Adak, Alaska.

Kenneth began his banking career at First National Bank, Montrose, Colorado on October 1, 1957.  He retired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Montrose Branch of Norwest Bank on April 3, 1993.

On June 14, 1959, Kenneth married Marlene Sylvester Townsend.  They have four children, Brad of Denver, Kim of Denver, Kerri of Glenwood Springs and Kelli of Montrose.  They have nine grandchildren

Kenneth was an active member of his community and spent his career giving back to Montrose in many meaningful ways, including Montrose Rotary Club, since 1963, serving at its President from 1969-1970.  Montrose Economic Development for over forty years, American Red Cross, Citation for Service Award, Montrose Land Company, serving as its President in 1968, Montrose Chamber of Commerce, Community Service Award, Uncompahgre Valley Water Users, Montrose Arts Council, San Juan Foundation Health Care, Black Canyon Golf Course, Montrose Red Coats, participated in the creation of the Montrose County Airport, Montrose Pavilion and the Aquatic Center.

Kenneth’s special interests included golfing, skiing, boating music and traveling with his family. He is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren and his sister, Shirley Butterworth.  He is preceded in death by his sister, Lorell Pixler and his brother Thomas Brook Townsend III.

Memorial contributions may be made to the following: HopeWest Hospice, 725 S, 4th Street, Montrose, Co. 81401 or The Ken and Marlene Townsend Scholarship Fund (Montrose Community Foundation), P.O. Box 3020, Montrose, Co. 81402

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at Grace Community Church.  Following the service, inurnment will take place at the family columbarium at Grand View Cemetery, Montrose. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose is assisting the family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com.