TOWNSLEY, Jimmie Lee "Jim" - b. June 23, 1936 - d. September 21, 2016

[patyrn]

Jimmie Lee Townsley passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at the Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas at the age of 80.  He was born on June 23, 1936 in Howard, Kansas to Glenn Roy and Eunice Marie (VanBuskirk) Townsley.

Jim served his country in the United States Navy before returning to Severy, Kansas and marrying Evelyn Jane (Ambler) Ramsey in Miami, Oklahoma on October 17, 1959.  Jim was the love of Evelyn's life.  Evelyn had previously been married and had four young children from that marriage, ages 1 to 4 years old.  Jim willingly raised those children as his own, and he and Evelyn had two more children to add to the brood.

Jim and Evelyn raised their family while owning and operating a gas station at the corner of Highways 96 and 99 in Severy, Kansas.  After selling the station, they moved outside of town on Highway 96 where they sold firewood and operated Jim's Used Cars for more than twenty years.  Later in his life, Jim took great pride in knowing that he would be able to leave something behind for each of his children.  His kids described him as very much of a disciplinarian which also made them very strong and independent.  Jim was not only his kids' hero but also a good man that loved their mother.  Jim's other passions included going to the Prairie Band Casino as he was an avid gambler.  He also dearly loved the Thursday night community meals served at the Fellowship Hall at the Severy United Methodist Church.

Jimmie is survived by his six children, Junior Ramsey of Missouri, Cindy Smith and husband, Mike of Wichita, Kansas, James Ramsey and wife, Dala of Augusta, Kansas, Clara Register and husband, Ron of Augusta, Kansas, Elaine Burt and husband, Gary of Fall River, Kansas, and Bill Townsley of Fort Worth, Texas; his sisters, Barbara Gilbert of Wichita, Kansas and Lucille Wene of Grove, Oklahoma; his brothers, John Townsley of Oswego, Kansas, Robert Townsley of Moline, Kansas, and Frank Townsley of Independence, Kansas; 15 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn on June 4, 2003; his parents; a sister, Dorothy (Townsley) Christmas; and a granddaughter, Tierra Ramsey.

Family visitation will be Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Funeral services will be held Monday, September 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Severy United Methodist Church in Severy, Kansas with interment to follow at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy.  A memorial has been established with the Severy Senior Center.  Donations may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 which is in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)