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Eldridge Townsend Obituary
Eldridge Paschal Townsend, Jr. "Tump" went peacefully into the arms of Jesus on February 8, 2021.
Tump was born on August 25, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1951. After graduation he joined the US Navy and proudly served aboard the USS Hollister during the Korean War. He married his sweetheart, Mary Louise Douglas on February 5, 1955. He then enjoyed a 22 year career at JEA and a second career of 18 years with Independent Life. Tump resided in Jacksonville until 1971 when he and Mary Lou moved to Lake Como, FL, and then in 2002 they moved to St. Augustine for their retirement years. Tump was an avid golfer, refereed high school football and basketball for 18 years, and was a life long Florida Gator fan, but nothing was ever more important and meaningful to him than his family.
Tump was predeceased by Mary Lou Townsend, his loving wife of 65 years and his son, Craig Townsend, sister, Delores (DeeDee) Townsend Taylor and brother, Joe Townsend. He is survived by his brother Al Bowden (Helen), his sister: Mary Townsend Creel, his son, Eric Townsend (Joy), daughter, Valerie Meador (Mark), grandsons Eric Townsend, Jr. (Alethia), Jared Townsend (Niran), Steven Meador and Robert Savage, and six great grandchildren.
Outdoor Memorial service will be held at the Pavilion at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Friday, February 19 at 10:30 a.m.
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Memories and Condolences
for Eldridge Townsend
Sponsored by Jacksonville.com.
Denny & Mary Zveare
February 4, 2025
Gone but not forgotten. We miss you, Tump.
Charlie Pilkington
February 20, 2021
Played a lot of golf and ate a lot of lunches with Tump at Royal Saint Augustine. More than that, we were friends off the course too. Tump grieved deeply over the recent deaths of Mary Lou and Craig - I think more than he let on. He was a 100% straight, honest guy. He will be missed by all the guys in the RSA Men''s Club.
Joe & Jan Sumner
February 17, 2021
obituary Family,
So sorry to know of Tump's passing and that of Mary Lou. Did not know of her death until seeing Tump's obituary.
We treasure the many years of friendship, beginning with being next door neighbors as young families. Thankful to have called them friends and for the wonderful memories, especially their kind and caring ways. We will always hold them close in heart. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark Nelson
February 15, 2021
I was privileged to meet Tump and his dear wife through Eric and Joy. Whenever they spoke about Tump it was with love, respect, and admiration in their voices and often with loving concern about his health. What a dear legacy and the health concerns are now behind him forever.
Dianne Roberts
February 12, 2021
To the Family On behalf of the Townsend Family Reunion - our deepest sympathies in the loss of your Dad "Tump". He will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful and humorous man. The Family remembers his faithfulness to the Townsend family. In the Townsend Family - Family is everything. We will miss his smile at our Family Reunions. Cozzie and Dianne Roberts
Curtis Edwards
February 11, 2021
To the family of Mr Townsend my sincere condolences. I spent countless hours with "Tump" mapping out horticultural and landscape designs at Vista Cove. I always looked at him as a man of genuine integrity. With his wife at his side I am sure he's designing a garden in heaven.
Santiago Vela
February 11, 2021
Great memorys with a great man.R.I.P. Tump
Denny & Mary Zveare
February 11, 2021
First, a neighbor, then the best of friends for more than twenty years. Can’t say enough good things about this prince of a man. He will be ... and already is ... missed. Goodbye, my friend. See you on the other side.
Karen Lansing-Miller
February 11, 2021
It was my pleasure to be able to meet and spend time with both Eldridge and Mary Lou. Keeping the family in my prayers.
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