Milton E. Townsend Jr.

Milton E. Townsend Jr., age 85, Leawood, KS, former owner Townsend Printers and Lithographers, Inc. died Monday, January 6, 2003. Mr. Townsend Jr. owned and operated Townsend Printers and Lithographers, Inc. until he sold the business in December 1986 at which time he retired. The firm was founded by M. E. Townsend, Sr. in 1913 and upon his death in 1958; Mr. Townsend Jr. took over operations until he retired. Mr. Townsend served on the Board of Directors of the Graphic Arts Organization and was a member of the Printing Industries of America since its founding. He was a past member of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, and a former member of the Advertising and Sales Executive Club. He belonged to the Country Club Christian Church. He attended Southwest High School and Kansas City Junior College. He was a lifelong area resident. Mr. Townsend, Jr. was an army veteran, serving in the Signal Corps and the Office of Strategic Services in World War II. He was a charter member, since 1953, director, auditor and Fleet Captain, and Honorary Commodore in the Lake of the Ozarks Yachting Association. He was a charter member of the first US Coast Guard Auxiliary unit formed at the Lake of the Ozarks in February 1955 and in 1959 served as Commander of Flotilla 1604. In 1967 and again in 1970 he was commissioned by Missouri Governor Warren E. Hearnes as a Captain of the Navy on the Honorary Staff of the Governor to host Governor Brannigan of Indiana and in 1970 he hosted Governor Sargent of Massachusetts at the National Governors Conference held at the Lake of the Ozarks. Mr. Townsend, Jr. was a member of Gate City Masonic Lodge, Ararat Shrine, Royal Order of Jesters #54, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Kansas City Elks Lodge #26. Mr. Townsend, Jr. is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Elizabeth Townsend of the home, three daughters, Patricia Roberts, Prairie Village, KS, Sandra Pierson Eddy, Prairie Village, KS, and Janetta Jinx Stow, Huntington Beach, CA. Four grandchildren, Sean Hogan, Mission Hills, KS, Ryan Pierson, Prairie Village, KS, Amy and Justin Stow, Huntington Beach, CA and two greatgrandchildren. A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 8 at 4 o'clock in the afternoon at Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost, Kansas City, MO. The family requests no flowers and suggest contributions to Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children or to a charity of your choice. (Arr: Muehlebach Funeral Home)