Cliff Townsend, 81, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Friday afternoon, January 10, 2020, at his home in Carthage. Clifford Carson Townsend was born on March 4, 1938, in Lufkin, TX to the late Paul Monarch and Clifford Evelyn Carson Townsend. He grew up in Pollok, Texas attending Central Consolidated School. After high school he worked at the ice plant in Lufkin delivering ice to the stores around that vicinity and attending SFA before leaving Pollok for Lamar University in Beaumont. Cliff graduated from Lamar University in 1963, having earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. While in college he met and married Margie Jean Morris, of Huxley, TX who is the mother of three daughters, Kelly Jo Townsend Watts Ferguson, Heather Jean Townsend Thomas and Erin Paige Townsend Frewin.

After college, Cliff went to work for Dupont in Bolling Green, KY. In 1965 Ma Bell and Western Electric (later known as AT&T) built a telephone factory in Shreveport, LA. He worked for AT&T until his retirement. At retirement he started a home-based business, C & S Technical Services.

Cliff moved to Carthage in 1975, from Shreveport. On May 22, 1980 Cliff married Sheryl Rowell Hunt and she brought three daughters, Kelley Elizabeth Hunt Hill, Tracey Kay Hunt Dauzat and Jodi Dawn Hunt Wilson. This gave Cliff six total daughters, which he cherished.

Cliff played duplicate bridge, worked with Habitat for Humanity, and served meals to the homeless at Newgate Mission in Longview. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Carthage where he attended the Loyal Sons Sunday School class, was a Stephen Minister, served as President of Methodist Men and as an usher for many years in addition to working with LOGOs. He was also a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas.

In 2014, Cliff decided to take an extraordinary step in his battle against heart disease, choosing to become the recipient of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). This innovative procedure, which fascinated the mechanical engineer in Cliff and manifested the exceptional nursing talents of Sheryl, allowed Cliff more than five additional years as a husband, brother, father, and friend.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Monarch and Clifford Evelyn Carson Townsend, his sister Patricia Ann Townsend, daughter Kelly Jo Townsend Ferguson, grandson Randal Allen Watts, and Sister-in-law Joann Burnside Townsend.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Sheryl Rowell Townsend and daughters and sons-in-law: Heather & Doug Thomas of Goldsboro, NC; Kelley & Tony Hill of Nacogdoches, TX; Erin & Greg Frewin of Frisco, TX; Tracey & Steven Dauzat of Marksville, LA; and Jodi & Dan Wilson of Eastland, TX. He is also survived by Grandchildren: Brittany Anne Ferguson of RI; Carson Gerald Thomas of Goldsboro, NC; Victor Kalyx Thomas of Goldsboro, NC; Evan Harrison Frewin of Frisco, TX; Levi Chase Boniol of Ruston, LA.; Clayton Hunter Boniol of Marksville, LA.; Bethany Gomez Sprayberry of Garrison, TX; and Delaney Gomez Mott of Chireno, TX; Stephen Boniol of Pineville, LA; Emilee Boniol Henry of Glenmora, LA; & Marlee Boniol Mann of O'ahu, HI; Ashley Hill of Mansfield, TX; Alyson Hill Le of Georgetown, TX; Rachel Hill Bates of Millsap, TX; Ashley Wilson Engle of Nacogdoches, TX; Megan Wilson of Cushing, TX; Zachary Dauzat of Marksville, LA; and Courteney Dauzat Chauffepied of Marksville, LA. He is also survived by his brothers Robert Paul (Bud) Townsend of Pollok, TX; and Daniel Marion Townsend and wife, Camille of Huntington, TX, seven nieces, a nephew, and seventeen Great Grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at the First United Methodist Church in Carthage with Reverends Leah Morales and Kevin Otto officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. in Gann Cemetery in Pollok, TX. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, January 13 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Tony Hill, Dan Wilson, Steven Dauzat, Greg Frewin, Levi Boniol, Clayton Boniol, and Evan Frewin.

Honorary pallbearers are Doug Thomas, Victor Thomas, Carson Thomas and the Loyal Sons Sunday School Class.

The family would like to recognize the extraordinary care provided over the years by Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital of Plano, as well as the Hospice of East Texas. Special personal thanks are extended to Dr. David Rawitscher, Dr. Alfred Levy, Kelli Hart, CJ Tucker, Robin Kirk and Amy Newcomb.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, TX 75633 or to the American Heart Association.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.