Roll Call Tribute

Dr. Joe D. Townsend
July 24, 1945 ~ July 1, 2021 (age 75)

Longtime Texas A&M Athletics supporter and 2011 Athletics Hall of Honor inductee Dr. Joe David Townsend, “Dr. Joe,” passed away at his home on South Padre Island, Texas, on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

Better known as "Dr. Joe", Dr. Townsend made a lasting effect on generations of Aggies after teaching at least 1,000 students per semester for 25 years as a distinguished professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Dr. Townsend received his Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M in 1967 with an emphasis in teaching, student development and leadership. He received his Master's and PhD Degrees in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University. Townsend was a member of Squadron 6 in the Corps of Cadets, the Agricultural Leadership Society, FFA, and the 4-H Club. He also served as President of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Student Council.

After graduation from Texas A&M, Dr. Townsend began his career as an educator teaching at Guttenberg High School, Maquoketa Valley High School,  and college in Iowa before returning to College Station three years later in 1984. He served as the Associate Dean for Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Associate Vice President for Students, respectively.

Throughout his career, Townsend has received numerous awards for his work as an agricultural educator, including the University Distinguished Teaching Award, Honor Professor by the Minorities in Agriculture and the Natural Resources and Related Sciences Council. He has also received numerous awards for his work as an agricultural educator for Individual Student Relations.

He was honored four times by the Association of Former Students for his work with students and administration. In 1996, Townsend received the Texas A&M John Koldus Student Services Award. He and his wife, Dr. Christine Townsend were selected to the Hall of Honor for the Texas A&M Letterman's Association in 2011.

The Dr. Joe D. Townsend Leadership Fellows Program was established by Christine in honor of her husband through a $25,000 gift to the Texas A&M Foundation in 2009.

In 2017, Townsend received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Eli Townsend, and mother, Pauline Townsend.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Christine Townsend (nee Davis), daughter, Kelly Ann Townsend Moore (Patrick), and son, Michael David Townsend; four grandchildren; brother Donald Townsend (Donna).

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home East Chapel, 945 Palm Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas 78520. Livestreaming and service recording may be viewed by visiting the online memorial tribute of Dr. Joe at www.darlingmouser.com, then selecting the “Access Video” icon beneath the Services section.

A “Dr. Joe” Celebration will be held in College Station at a near future date to be announced.

To honor the legacy and impact of Dr. Joe, memorials may be made to the Dr. Joe Townsend ’67 ALEC Leadership Fellows Program at the Texas A&M Foundation.