Jim Townsley's Obituary
Jimmie Lee Townsley passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas. He was 80 years of age. Jimmie was born on June 23, 1936 in Howard, Kansas to Glenn Roy and Eunice Marie (VanBuskirk) Townsley. Jimmie served his country in the Navy before returning to Severy and marrying Evelyn Jane (Ambler) in Miami, Oklahoma on October 17, 1959. Jimmie was the love of Evelyn’s life. Evelyn had previously been married and had four young children from that marriage aged 1 to 4 years old. Jimmie willingly raised those children as his own and he and Evelyn had two more children to add to the brood.
Jimmie and Evelyn raised their family of six children while owning and operating a gas station at the corner of 96 & 99 Highway in Severy. After selling the station they moved outside of town on Highway 96 where they sold firewood and operated Jim’s Used Cars for more than twenty years. Later in his life Jimmie took great pride in knowing that he would be able to leave something behind for each of his children. His kids described him as very much a disciplinarian, which also made them very strong and independent. Jimmie was not only his kids’ “hero,” but also a good man that loved their mother. Jimmie’s other passions included going to the Prairie Band Casino as he was an avid gambler. He also dearly loved the Thursday night community meals served at the fellowship hall at the Severy United Methodist Church.
Jimmie is survived by his six children, Junior Ramsey of Missouri, Cindy Smith and husband Mike of Wichita, Kansas; James Ramsey and his wife Dala; Clara Register and her husband Ron all of Augusta, Kansas; Elaine Burt and her husband Gary of Fall River and Bill Townsley of Fort Worth, Texas; his sisters Barbara Gilbert of Wichita and Lucille Wene of Grove, OK; brothers John Townsley of Oswego, Robert Townsley of Moline, Frank Townsley of Independence, 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Jimmie was preceded in death by a sister Dorothy Townsley Christmas and deceased granddaughter Tierra Ramsey.
Family visitation is Sunday, September 25 from 5-7 pm at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas. Funeral services are Monday, September 26 at 2:00 pm. at the Severy United Methodist Church in Severy, Kansas with interment to follow at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy. A memorial has been established with the Severy Senior Center. Contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed to PO Box 1233, Howard, Kansas 67349. Arrangements were made with Countryside Funeral Home of Howard.
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