John Stuart Townsend, USAF, Cold War, FLO/RNC, 13 September 2024The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited by the family of John Townsend to attend Final Military Honors for their Hero. It will be our privilege to fulfill their request.
Our hero was born in Kewanee, IL in 1938. He joined the Black Knight Bugle Corps when he was 17 years old. At 19 years old he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving as a Radioman in Bremerhaven, West Germany and later in Peshawar Province, Pakistan in support of the U2 spy plane program. He knew Francis Gary Powers and was the airman tasked with calling President Eisenhower to announce Gary Powers was missing over Russia. At that time we are unsure of his employer. It was likely USAF under contract to the CIA. At the time of his honorable discharge he was an Airman 1st Class (E-4) later called Sergeant and now known as Senior Airman.
Following his military service he was a truck driver for many years. He was a Union Teamster and an owner/operator working notably for Lucky Markets, as well as many other corporations. When his health was being challenged by some pretty heavy medications he started driving smaller vehicles, shuttling vehicles and clients for Enterprise Rentals and delivering high end cars to people of wealth. He also did delivery work for medical supplies and even was an Uber and Lyft driver. Sadly, he passed after a lengthy battle with cancer.
In 1995 he met and married the love of his life, Janet. They met at the old Magic Lamp supper club in Rancho Cucamonga, each had children of their own from previous marriages. He enjoyed fancy cars and owned an Emilio Pucci Designer Edition Lincoln that was recently restored by the family and was given to his son, Chad, in Florida. When Chad preceded his father last year it went to his sister (Chad's) in New England and is now on display in her husband’s car dealership showroom. He loved cats and rescued and adopted them. He would trap, neuter and put up for adoption cats that were roaming in the trailer park.
Our hero is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Janet, and children Michael, Heidi, Amy, Angela and their spouses. He’ll be missed by his pride and joy 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded by his brother Donald and his son Chad. He never met a stranger and was known for his vibrant spirit and infectious smile. He will be missed by many.
TIMETABLE FOR Friday 13 September 20241000 - Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA. (Lemay Blvd near the restrooms on the right).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UAoAQTYkLzPAM6nn71015 - Mission briefing. 1030 - Await arrival of our hero’s cremains and KSU to assigned cortège.
1100- KSU to assigned shelter for flag line and military honors.
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R/C Steve “Capt Chaos” Blumenfeld
SoCal PGR Ride CaptainSSGT USAF 1970-1974
steveb.pgrcc@gmail.com
661-212-2284
