Jim Townsend

The Penny Man

Services for Jim Henry Townsend Jr., 85, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at Calvary Baptist Church in Hamilton, with Rev. Lyndon Pettijohn officiating.

Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Arrangements are by Lacy Funeral Home.

Jim passed away Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.

Jim was born in Friendship on March 4, 1938, to parents Jim Henry Townsend Sr. and Addie Lee (Mosley) Townsend. He married Virginia Popham Sept. 1, 1961, in San Antonio.

Jim (the penny man) was a true witness for Christ through his pennies, greeting everyone he met with a penny and telling them how much Jesus loves them. He served the Lord as a Baptist minister for more than 50 years. Jim and his family were missionaries to the Lacandon Indians in the jungles of Mexico from 1970 to 1975.

Jim was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country for five years.

He also enjoyed the outdoors, spending his spare time hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Townsend of Hamilton; children, Michael Townsend of Hondo and Randall Townsend and wife Tammy of Hamilton; grandchildren Destiny LaPage, Kassidy Townsend and Tannah Stobaugh; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Taizlee, Tesla and Atlas; and many precious nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.