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Phillip Townsend died from injuries sustained
while fighting a commercial
structure fire.
Phillip joined the fire department
on December 1, 2005,
and was there two days
shy of 13 months. He
loved working for the fire
department. I remember
the day his father, Larry,
called with the news.
Wow, he rushed up to
the department! Larry
told him that he started
on December 1. Phillip
was so excited he almost
knocked his father down.
His words: “Now I really
can be just like my dad.” He
enjoyed every minute being
there. He loved it so much that
he joined another volunteer fire
department. He was proud that
he was able to do some good and
save the lives of others.
Remembering
Phillip W. Townsend
Denison Fire Department — Texas
Classification: Career
Rank: Firefighter
Date of Death: December 30, 2006
Age: 31
He completed a training course in Radiological
Emergency Preparedness on October 19, 2006;
Firefighter Basic on May 15, 2006; and EMT Basic
on June 15, 2006. The family received his EMT
Intermediate on May 12, 2007. He was named
Firefighter of the Year for 2006.
Phillip was very involved with his family, his
career, and the community. He coached
girls’ softball. Phillip was in the
United States Army prior to the
fire service. He and his father
loved to play golf.
Phillip is survived by his
father, Larry Townsend, and
Larry’s fiancée, Lori;
mother, Sherry Richardson;
sons, Maddox, Rylen, and
Tristian; sister, Stormy
Townsend-Sparks, her
husband, Randy, and their
children, Deni, Colby
and Keeley; grandmother,
Cleda Richardson, and
grandparents, Marvin and
Helen Townsend; girlfriend,
Tresa Curtis, and her daughter,
Kassidy; numerous family
members; and a host of friends.
Phillip always had a smile on his face.
He enjoyed life to the fullest. Phillip
was adventurous and just the greatest to be
around. He was the sun and moon all by himself.
Phillip could turn a bad thing into something good.
He was an amazing son, brother, and father. He will
never be forgotten. We miss him, but he will always
be with us no matter where we are. He is in God’s
arms now. Until the day we rejoice, we will live our
lives in memory of him. Our hero.