D. Earl Townsend Obituary (1927 - 2013)

Delbert Earl Townsend passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 13, 2013. He was born July 29, 1927 in Murray, Utah to Delbert H. and Theata Hughes Townsend. He was a life-long resident of Murray where he shared many fond memories alongside his friends. He played a "mean" trumpet and was called upon to lead the pep band at many high school functions. He served as the student body president of Murray High School in 1945. He joined the Navy in 1945 and was primarily stationed in San Francisco and San Diego, CA. He served as a missionary in the Texas/Louisiana Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1948 to 1950. He married Marguerite Bean Townsend in the Salt Lake Temple on June 20, 1951 and they were blessed with six children. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1953 with a degree in Business. In 1957, his dream came true when he was able to purchase a men's clothing store in downtown Murray. He promptly remodeled and renamed the store, Mr. Debb's Clothes for Men, which he operated until 1973 when he reluctantly closed the doors for the last time. Many of his customers followed him as he became manager of Arthur Frank in the Cottonwood Mall. He was a faithful and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in several different Bishoprics over a 15-year period and was then called as Bishop of the Murray 3rd Ward, where he served faithfully for seven years. He served in the high council under two separate stake presidents and then served as Stake Mission Leader for four years. He and Marge were called as LDS Employment missionaries and then served an 18-month mission to the Utah State Prison and Half-Way House. He served as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple for over five years. He also served on the Murray School Board. He is survived by his children, Terrie Butler, Rob (Manuela), Cindy (Phil) Talbot, Steve (Cindy) and Ted; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marge; his parents; siblings; one son, Chris; and one grandson, Eric. Funeral services will be at the Murray 3rd Ward, 4600 S. Brown Street, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2013. A viewing will be Thursday evening, August 15th from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street, and at the church on Friday prior to the services from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Interment will be at Elysian Burial Gardens Cemetery. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 So. State Street Murray, UT