Howard Townsend

On Sunday, January 5, 2025, Henry Townsend of Ruidoso, NM, spiritually ascended into the arms of his and our Lord Jesus Christ. Henry was 88 years old.

Howard Henry Townsend, Sr. was born on January 20, 1936, in Arch, NM. He was the fifth of eight children born to Richard and Margie Townsend. He spent his first six years in Arch until 1942 when the family moved to Portales, NM, where Henry completed grade school. The family moved to a ranch southwest of Clovis, NM, where Henry began seventh grade. He was unhappy there, so he went to live with his beloved older sister, Joy Love, in Dora, NM. He helped his brother-in-law, Lowell Harp, who was like a father to him, on the family farm while attending high school in Dora. During the hot summers of 1952/53, Henry worked on a ranch in Muleshoe, TX, where he would recall how sweet the water tasted. After graduating from high school in 1954, Henry returned to the Muleshoe ranch until he was drafted. He served for two years in the Army and was honorably discharged. Henry and the other "short-timers" would talk about what they would do when they were discharged. When asked, Henry said that he was a cowboy and would go back to the Muleshoe ranch. When asked if he would like to own a ranch, Henry enthusiastically replied, "Yes!" The guys laughed and told him that ranch-hand wages were $1.25/month and would never buy a ranch!

After Henry's discharge, he went to the boomtown of Grants, NM, to work in a uranium mill at $110.00 per week. After working in the mill for about a year, he worked in the construction industry earning $3.00/hour. After one year, he started his own drywall contracting business, Townsend Drywall Company, located in Clovis, NM.

In early 1959, Henry and a friend, dressed in suits, went to the Sunset Inn, an upscale Albuquerque, NM, supper club that had an orchestra for dancing. As he was moving across the room to ask a woman to dance, he spotted a beautiful lady sitting at a table who looked up at him with a gorgeous smile. It was true love at first sight for both. At that moment, he knew she was "the one." They married on November 28, 1959, and spent nearly 64 years together before his beloved Pat went to be with our Lord on July 22, 2023. Henry adored Pat and was absolutely heartbroken after her passing. It is good that their hearts are one again.

In 1961, Henry relocated his family from California to Albuquerque, NM, where he and his brother Gayland formed the partnership Townsend Brothers Drywall Co. The business grew and prospered by working construction jobs from California to the Midwest. In 1965, Henry and Gayland's ranching dream became a reality when they bought their first ranch near Albuquerque where their growing families resided.

Later in the 1970s, they bought several more ranches near Roswell, NM. Eventually, they closed the contracting business in 1973/74 to focus entirely on ranching. Henry either owned or partnered in fifteen different ranches in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. He retired from ranching in 2004, when he and his sweetheart, Pat, moved to scenic Ruidoso to enjoy the weather and live out the rest of their lives together. Henry always said, "If I stop working, I'll die," so thereafter he bought and developed two residential subdivisions in the Roswell area. After that, he purchased and managed commercial lease properties in Roswell until the present.

Having overcome childhood poverty, Henry lifted himself up relying on his strict work ethic and commitment to truth, honesty, and fairness. He was a successful and much respected rancher and businessperson, always recognizing that his life was blessed. He gave most of the credit for his many blessings to his devoted wife and God.

Henry was an inspiration and like a father and mentor to many. He displayed generosity, compassion, and empathy towards everyone he met. He was known for always treating people fairly and helping strangers, family or friends, in their time of need. Henry was a great storyteller known for his lively and fun conversations. He was an extremely hardworking, tough, old-school cowman. He enjoyed ranching, talking about ranches, and buying and selling them. Henry was a fierce cattleman and land trader who knew land and cattle as well as anyone. He loved the challenges and rewards of buying and sprucing up ranches and increasing their productivity and value. He was a good steward of the land and livestock. Henry was one of those people who had a tremendous impact on those who had the opportunity to know and spend time with him. He was fearless and never afraid to take on a challenge including learning and mastering the sheep business later in his ranching career.

Henry is preceded in death by his father and mother, Richard and Margie Townsend, brothers Buddy, Richard, Gayland, and Bobby Townsend, sisters Joy Love Gardner and Jacqueline Hope Rodgers Berry and son Eric Kent Townsend. Henry is survived by his sister Faith Bradley, children Greg Townsend, Susan (Rich) Cada, Hank Townsend, Patrick Townsend and Sharon Townsend; grandchildren Katie Mahoney, Jacqie (Cody) Craig, Joe Cada and Jake Townsend. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and great friends.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Eleanor Catholic Church in Ruidoso, NM. The Holy Rosary will be recited prior to Mass at 10:30 am. A reception will follow. There will be an inurnment service for immediate family on January 21, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Roswell, NM, where Henry will join his beloved wife, Pat, in their columbarium niche.

In memory of Henry Townsend, contributions may be made to Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Inc., Donation Processing Center, PO Box 2005, Milford, NH 03055-2005 or dvnf.org or to a charity of your choice.

"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." John 11:25-26