Woodrow Solomon Townsend (Woody), age 79, of Plano, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 3, 2021, after a shockingly brief battle with cancer. On February 16, 1942, Woody was born to Annie Pearl (Myrick) and James Jefferson Townsend in Montgomery, Alabama. Woody spent much of his childhood exploring the wilds of southern Alabama – a particular favorite was the Nichols Home, the farm belonging to his Aunt Inez and Uncle Jimmie Nichols in Lowndesboro. Time spent on the farm remained some of Woody’s most cherished memories throughout his life. Woody earned his high school diploma from The Williams School in Montgomery in May 1961. Later that year, his adventurous spirit led him to enlist in the United States Air Force, serving his country in Mississippi, New Jersey, Spain and throughout the Mediterranean region during the Cuban Missile Crisis, continuing until his honorable discharge as Airman 2nd Class in 1967.
In early 1965, the greatest adventure of Woody’s life began when he was introduced to Judi Cox. The two quickly fell in love and were married on September 25, 1965. They were married for 45 years and had two children, Eric and Kelly. Woody found professional success first with United Artists and then 20th Century Fox, working in both companies’ distribution divisions and rising through the ranks to senior management before his retirement in 2000. He was proud of the movies with which he was involved, too numerous to name but most notably the original Star Wars trilogy. Woody’s work moved the family across the country several times, from St. Louis to San Francisco and back, then on to Jacksonville and finally Dallas. Woody was known for his dry wit, southern drawl, and no-nonsense sensibility. During his life, Woody enjoyed many outdoor pursuits including off-road motorcycling and camping in northern California, coaching Kelly’s childhood softball teams, golfing wherever and whenever there was an open tee time, maintaining the perfect yard, attending countless soccer games to cheer for Dylan, and going with Judi on any expedition she could imagine – no matter how local or far flung. The two took cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, Bora Bora and Tahiti, Hawaii, and Alaska and British Columbia, as well as several trips throughout the continental US, proving Woody was game for anything with Judi by his side. After Judi’s death in May 2011, Woody often mentioned his heart was broken and his sense of adventure dimmed. Now, they are reunited to adventure eternally.
Woody was preceded in death by his loving wife Judi, his parents Pearl and James, and his brother James, Jr.
He is survived by his children, Eric (Michelle) Townsend and Kelly Townsend; grandchildren, Dylan Hatcher, and Quinn & Piper Townsend; brother, Tonie Townsend and several nieces and nephews. In accordance with his wishes, no services will be held.