More detail on this person: Kenneth "Ken" A.
Townsend, 77, of Creole, LA died Monday, February
1, 2016 at Harbor Hospice in Lake Charles.
Ken was born in DeKalb, MS where he was known
as "Tony" and graduated from high school in 1956.
After two years of junior college, he joined the
MS National Guard. As a Sgt. E-6, he joined the
Medical Service Corp and also attended Army
Rotary Wing Helicopter School and graduated as a
MASH officer. He later went to work for PHI,
working in Cameron, Lafayette, Leesville, New
Orleans, Galveston, and Houston and also in
Bolivia and Saudi Arabia. Ken retired after 35
years with PHI being a Gulf Pilot all the way up
to General Manager.
He was an avid musician and he and Theresa would
play for many occasions, but especially enjoyed
the volunteer work playing dances for "Special
People" each month in LaMarque, TX where they
made their home. In 2013 they moved to Louisiana
to be closer to Theresa's family.
He was a life member of Benevolent Protective
Order of the Elks, Knights of Columbus, NRA and a
member of American Petroleum Institute, The
Helicopter Association International, National
Business Aircraft Association and the National
Geographic Association. Ken was very political and
sometimes called Washington DC three times a
week.
Ken is survived by his wife, Theresa Dimas; two
God children, Jacob Dimas and Tyler Fitzhenry; his
daughter, Penny Walker; grandchildren, Casey
Torres and John Johnson; a great grandson, Lyric
Torres; and a sister Mary Jane Nelson (Jerry). He
also leaves behind eighteen nieces and nephews;
thirty six grand nieces and nephews; and one great
grand niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Polly and
Henry Townsend.
A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 PM on
Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Sacred Heart of
Jesus Catholic Church in Creole. The Rev. Herbert
May will officiate. Burial will follow in the
family cemetery, St. Anthony's Cemetery also in
Creole under the direction of Johnson Funeral
Home. Visitation will be in the funeral home on
Wednesday from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a
rosary being recited at 6:30 PM. Visitation will
continue on Thursday from 9:00 AM until leaving
for the church at 1:00 PM.
Those serving as pallbearers will be his brothers,
Jean, Jerome, Gary, Joey, and David Dimas and
Mark Fitzhenry. Honorary pallbearers will be
nephews, Jacob, BJ, Daniel, Jonathan, and
Christopher Dimas, Tyler Fitzhenry, Chad Thornton,
and Corey Doucet.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sacred
Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 5250 W. Creole
Hwy, Creole, LA 70632 or to a church of one's
choice.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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