Russell G. Townsend, 73, former Dallas, Texas resident, passed from this life on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Featherstone Assisted Living in Durant.
Russell was born on Friday, October 12, 1951, in Paddington, England to George Luther Townsend and Margaret Eveline (Newsome) Townsend. Russell was ranked as a Sergeant who served in the United States Air Force from 1973 until 1977 as a Veteran of Peacetime and the Vietnam era. Russell is a proud graduate of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. His degree in Chemistry led to his role in the USAF as a medical laboratory specialist where he worked state side and in Vietnam to sample and characterize Agent Orange herbicide for disposal.
Russell married Carol Marie McNally on April 22, 2006, in Dallas. He worked as an EHS Specialist for many years until his retirement in 2015, where he continued to focus on his recovery from a brain injury. As a part of Russell’s recovery he became a member of BIN (Brain Injury Network) of Plano, Texas, whose mission is to provide tools and a bridge of support to adult survivors of brain injury (such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxia, and brain cancer) to reconnect into life, the community, and the workplace. In lieu of flowers please feel free to make donations to: www.theBIND.org in order to support other brain injury survivors.
Russell was an avid golfer and a master BBQ chef, but above all, he was a loving father devoted husband, and cherished friend. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who have had the privilege of knowing him.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents and his stepsister Pam, as well as his infant son, Jamie.
He is survived by his wife, Carol of Durant; a sister, Ginny Townsend; a son, Ian Townsend and his wife Emily of Dallas, their children Madelyn Jane Townsend and Margaret Louisa Townsend; daughter Christel Stuart and her husband Austin, their child Riley Paige Stuart; step-son Benjamin Vines of Plano, Texas, his daughter Olivia Jewel Vines; step-daughter Barbra Vines and her daughter Ava Marie Vines, and Charlie and Murphy, Russell’s loyal canine companions.
Russell is forever young and forever loved. His final act will be his cremation burial service with Military Honors which will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. Carol respectfully requests friends and family to arrive no later than 10:45 a.m. as we will be escorted from a public information area then led to a pavilion.
Following the memorial service for Russell, you are warmly invited to join Carol and the family for a burger and beer at Jakes Burgers-Lake Highlands (Russells’ early stomping grounds) located at 6606 Skillman Street in Dallas. In tribute to Russell, guests are welcome to wear Texas Tech colors or other spirit attire. Guns up!