Charles Reid Townsend

Charles Reid Townsend was born on August 3, 1930, in Altus, to Henry and Henryetta (Harvey) Townsend. On December 18, 1948, he married Ruby Helen Bearden and they spent forty-seven wonderful years together before her death on July 17, 1995. After graduating from Friendship High School, Charlie worked for many years with the F.W. Woolworth Company in Altus and Englewood, Colorado and Greely, Colorado before being promoted to manager at Salida and Littleton, Colorado. Resigning in 1957, Charlie was accepted into the Fourteenth Academy of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Graduating on May 18, 1957, he was assigned badge # 283 and stationed at Eufaula. In 1960, Charlie moved Mangum where he served as a trooper until 1968. In 1968, Charlie was promoted to Second Lieutenant and assigned badge #65 with the Durant District. In 1971, he was moved to Oklahoma City and promoted to First Lieutenant and assigned as the Troop Commander over Motor Vehicle Inspection where he proudly wore badge #23. His last move came in 1979, when Charlie was sent home, to Altus, and had the privilege of opening the new Altus Headquarters and established Troop M. Some of Charlie's saddest days was when he lost three troopers, Howard Crumley, Billy Young and Pappy Summers, who were under his command at the time of their deaths. Charlie retired from the OHP in 1981 with over twenty-five years of service. On December 27, 1996, Charlie married Vicki (Tharp) Straughan and they spend the next twenty-six wonderful years together until his death. Charlie love his family dearly. He also love telling stories about his days with the OHP and the young troopers enjoyed sitting around his table or bedside listening to them. He spent many hours hunting and fishing with his boys and eating quail. Charlie loved people!
Preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Henryetta; his first wife, Ruby; four brothers George, Russell, Harvey, and Melton, two grandchildren Jorgito and Bahram, and a daughter-in-law, Donna. Charlie is survived by his wife, Vicki Townsend; his children, Helen Noriega and husband Jorge, Mary Schroeder and husband Gene, Mike Townsend and wife Karen, Brian Townsend, Lori Gray and husband Ernie, Leslie Thelen and husband David; fifteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild along with many other relatives and a host of friends. The family appreciates every friendship and act of kindness and wants to give a special thanks to Troopers Devin Walbridge, Colton Gilmore, Jesse Gregory, Ryan Hayes and Matt Stacy for always being there for us and making Charlie a special part of your lives.
Viewing will be Friday, December 1, at 9:00 AM until 5:00 pm at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N Council Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132, and Saturday morning, December 2, at 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Southern Oaks Free Will Baptist Church, 7201 S Santa Fe Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73139. The funeral service will be Saturday, December 2, at 2:00 pm at Southern Oaks Free Will Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Yukon Cemetery with OHP honors.