John Franklin Townsend

John Franklin Townsend, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, in Austin, Texas, at the age of 87. Born on May 23, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, John lived a life marked by service, curiosity, kindness, and a deep commitment to his family and community.

John is survived by his devoted wife, Maria Townsend; his daughters, Maria Metz and Victoria Longoria; his cherished granddaughters, Eva and Luisa Metz, and his sister Nola Cunningham. Central to his life, John poured his time, energy, and gentle humor into supporting and encouraging his family throughout every chapter of their life journeys.

John valued education as both a personal achievement and a lifelong value. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Wayne State University, building the academic foundation that would underpin a rich and varied professional life. Analytical and inquisitive by nature, he later completed his MBA, which opened the door to a successful career in marketing and strategic planning.

Professionally, John's life unfolded in three significant chapters. He first served his country in the United States Navy, devoting 30 years in both active and reserve duty and retiring with the rank of Captain. During his service he was stationed in Antarctica and Guam and received numerous honors, including the Antarctic Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign ribbon. His military career reflected his courage, steadiness, sense of duty, and characteristic optimism in the face of challenge.

John built a second career in the private sector, working in marketing and strategic planning for several industrial manufacturers, including BF Goodrich, CE NATCO, and Giddings & Lewis. At Giddings & Lewis, he was part of the leadership team that helped transform the company from the 25th largest machine tool manufacturer in the world to the 6th, and the leading machine tool manufacturer in the United States. His colleagues knew him as an analytical strategist with a practical understanding of people and organizations, and as a gifted storyteller who could make even complex plans engaging with a well-timed anecdote or "bad dad joke."

The third chapter of John's professional life was devoted to public service in local and state government. He was guided by his belief that "Our society is based on the idea that all people are equal and each and every life is valuable. My job is to continue to fight for those principles." He first served his community as a member of the Fond du Lac City Council. He then successfully ran for State Representative for Wisconsin's 52nd Assembly District, a role in which he served for twelve years. During his time in the legislature, he was appointed by the governor to the state Board of Veteran Affairs and served on numerous committees, focusing especially on economic development and literacy. His optimistic belief in the power of good policy and informed citizens inspired his work and earned him the respect of colleagues across the aisle.

Service did not end with his formal roles; it extended deeply into John's personal life. In his free time, he steadfastly served his family and his wider community. An active member of Fond du Lac's Ascension Lutheran Church and the Rotary Club, he contributed his time and insight to myriad local and state boards. Those who worked alongside him remember his reliability, his calm and serious demeanor, and the way his dry, surprising sense of humor would surface at just the right moment.

John was also a man of wide-ranging interests and a lively, inquiring mind. An avid reader, he passed on to his daughters a love for books and the simple joy of an unhurried visit to a good bookstore. A devoted student of history, he especially enjoyed exploring the past and tracing social and cultural transitions, always eager to understand how people and places came to be what they are. Though he often came across very serious at first, those who knew him well treasured his warmth, his inquisitive conversations, his love of storytelling, and the corny jokes that reliably drew groans and laughter in equal measure.

Above all, John will be remembered for his integrity, his kindness, his positive outlook, and his generosity of spirit. He combined ambition with humility, seriousness of purpose with a dose of comedy, and a strong work ethic with deep affection for his family. His legacy continues in the lives he touched, the communities he helped strengthen, and the convictions he instilled in his children and grandchildren.

The family invites all who knew John to remember him by supporting causes that promote education, literacy, and veterans' welfare, and by finding time to enjoy a good book, relishing a tasty dessert -and perhaps share a wonderfully bad dad joke-in his honor.