Tommy Townsend

Tommy Townsend, 85, of Amarillo, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, June 8, 2026 at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive. Burial will be at Llano East Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday, June 7, 2026. Following the visitation, the family extends an invitation for all friends and family to come at 5:00 PM Sunday to Beef-O-Brady’s at 7306 SW 34th Ave. #7.

Tommy was born January 16, 1941 in Clovis, New Mexico to Johnnie and Dorothy Townsend. He graduated from Clovis High School and worked for Santa Fe Railroad until 1965, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Tommy served six years as enlisted Army, serving two tours as a Door Gunner in Vietnam. He went on to earn a bachelor degree in criminal justice from Central Texas College, went to Officer’s Candidate School, and spent the next 20 years as an officer for the Army. He was a graduate of Army’s Command and General’s Staff College. He received honors from Cannon AFB, where his name is listed on the Wall of Heroes. He retired in 1991 at Fort Bliss as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was an active member of the VFW, American Legion, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and the Disabled Veterans.

Tommy married the love of his life Gloria White on January 18, 1969 in Phenix City, Alabama. Tommy was also an avid golfer, having owned and operated “Custom Golf Club Creations” in Clovis, New Mexico. Following Tommy’s retirement, the couple spent 10 years in Logan, New Mexico before moving to Amarillo in 2018. Tommy enjoyed spending time on his boat at Ute Lake in Logan and in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. He rode a Harley with the FOE, which he enjoyed very much. He taught all the grandkids how to drive and even taught Dre how to drive the boat at a young age. He really enjoyed fishing with his grandkids. Family was everything to Tommy and he will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gregory Townsend; and a brother, Charles Townsend.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria Townsend; two daughters, Tonya Crockett and husband Joe of Amarillo, and Tracey Jacks and husband Joe of Phoenix, AZ; three grandchildren, Dre Townsend, Lee Ann Davis and husband Roy, and Samantha Najera and husband Jeremy; and six great-grandchildren, Roy, Joey, Makenna, Victor, Jayden and Rosalyn.