Obituary of Warren Townsend

Kansas native Warren H. Townsend passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona. W.H., as he preferred to be called, was born on August 18, 1925 in Kirwin, Kansas to Frank and Retta Townsend. He is preceded in his death by his loving wife of 61 years, Jacque. He is survived by his daughter Jan Arndt and her husband, Bob, Su Byron and her husband, Bill, and their children Retta, Brecken and Graham Byron. The Byrons and Arndts live in Scottsdale, Arizona. After his graduation from high school in Kirwin, W.H. proudly joined the Navy in 1943 and was Honorably Discharged from active duty in 1946. In the fall of that year, he arrived in Leoti, Kansas. On August 10, 1947, W. H. married the love of his life, Jacqueline Wikoff. They were blessed to celebrate 61 wedding anniversaries together as well as the births of their daughters, Jan and Su. Faith was a constant foundation of their lives, and they were members of Leoti's First Presbyterian Church. W.H. had an impressive educational background that included a Bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina and a Master's degree in Counseling from Fort Hays State University. He enjoyed success in concurrent careers â one in farming and the other as an instructor and counselor at Wichita County High School in Leoti. He retired from his full-time duties at the high school after 26 years, but continued in a part-time capacity for several years after. Until 1992 he pursued farming full-time. After that, he remained active in farming, contributing to the success of Fletcher Farms until W.H. moved to Arizona in 2003. W. H. and Jacque moved to the Phoenix, Arizona area in 2003 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They loved to attend their grandchildren's concerts, school activities, and athletic and church events. They never missed the opportunity to gather the family at both major and minor holidays. Funeral Services for W. H. will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Leoti with the Reverend Paul McNall officiating. Viewing will occur an hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Leoti Cemetery with full military honors provided by the United States Navy Funeral Detail from Wichita, Kansas. Following the graveside service, a reception will be held in the Church Fellowship Hall. The family will be receiving friends at the home of Greg and Melissa Fletcher on the evenings of March 21st and 22nd. Contributions in honor of W.H. may be made to two organizations: Wichita County High School, Leoti, Kansas, 67861, and the First Presbyterian Church, Leoti, Kansas in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.