Robert Gene “Rusty” Townsend Sr.
Robert Gene “Rusty” Townsend Sr. (73) of Dickinson Texas, peacefully passed away at home on December 9, 2020 after a bravely fought battle with cancer.
Born January 1, 1947 in Winamac IN, Rusty was the son of Rev. Shelby and Eliza Jane (Howell) Townsend.
A member of the Church of God and growing up the son of a pastor, Rusty had a strong belief in God and a great love for his friends and family.
Rusty was an extremely talented lifelong musician who professionally entertained across the country during his younger years a member of the group, The Five Chords.
He lived in Houston TX, where he worked at Big State Vending for twenty plus years before moving to the Galveston Bay Area, where he continued to work and musically entertain at local venues before eventually retiring.
Rusty had a lifelong passion for fishing and was an avid angler. He loved to share his love for fishing with his friends and family all his life.
Along side his amazing musical talent, Rusty is probably best known for being a good friend to so many that he loved and who loved him throughout his long full life. Rusty’s outgoing, charismatic personality made him dear lifelong friends no matter where he went.
Rusty is proceeded in death by his parents and 8 siblings.
Rusty is survived by his sister Loretta Marra and husband Ray of Fishers, IN | Loving companion Charlotte Easton of Dickinson TX | Daughter Stacey (Townsend) Hernandez and husband Rodney of Austin TX | Granddaughter Randi Ragsdale and husband Ian of Austin TX | Great grandchildren Ruby (11) Rowan (4) | Grandson Steven Hernandez and partner Ethan Montgomery of Austin TX | Son Robert Townsend Jr. and wife Lydia of The Woodlands TX | Step daughter Sherri Schoffstall of Houston TX | Grandson Michael Smith of Houston TX | Granddaughter Wendy Nunez and husband Angel of Houston TX | Great grandchildren Oliver (14) Audrey (12) | Granddaughter Carolyn Jackson and husband Carl of Houston TX | Great grandchildren Baleigh (19) Avarie (16) Tallulah (3) Chenoa (1) | Step daughter Terri LeBlanc of Houston TX | Grandson Robert Lopez Jr. and wife Ariel of Houston TX | Great grandchildren Holden (8) Finley (2) | Grandson Daniel Lopez and Sheila Hutchins of Houston TX | Great grandchildren Aeriana (15) Ryker (8) | Step daughter Carri Stark of Houston TX | Grandson Thomas Stark Jr. and Victoria Rice of Houston TX | Great grandchildren Bella (16) Brooklyn (11) Hunter (9) | Granddaughter Amanda Ring and husband Eli of League City TX | Great grandchildren Samuel (8) David (6).
The Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:00am with a Ceremony at 10:00am at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main, League City, Texas 77573. Interment will follow at San Leon Cemetery.
He will be forever in our hearts and dearly missed.
Due to COVID 19, Crowder Funeral Home in League City will require all visitors to wear a mask and maintain a social distance of six feet from attendees. Maximum occupancy is 75 guests. Upon entering the funeral home, attendees will be kindly asked to enter the chapel and be seated. Please maintain a social distance during the processional, recessional and while seated. Your assistance during this difficult time is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
A Guest Book will be limited. We invite you to leave your condolence below.
For those unable to attend, you may view the ceremony online at:
To our dear friend Chalotte, GAyle and Yoly feel very sorry for the lost of your husband , Our dear Rusty . We will never forget him and He will be in our Hearts ♥️.God Bless you and never hesitate if you need us.GAyle y Yoly.
Be careful riding that pony outside the store, no falling off. Love you Buddy. George and Sharrall
Stacy I am sorry for the loss of your dad he will remain in my heart forever.
Thank you so much
May you fly High Uncle Rusty. You were a Blessing to so many of us. Your Beautiful music and love will live on forever within our Hearts. I love you and Thank you for being my Adoptive Uncle.🙏❤️
Stacy so sorry for your loss. Are prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you so very much.
He was the most happiest friendliest and handsome guy I ever laid eyes on.. He had a wonderful sense of humor & could sing anything… The years I have known him thru facebook has been awesome & he made many of my days worth living the single life.. I am going 2 miss him dearly but I will never ever forget him nor will I stop watching his videos, even if it makes me cry.. R.I.P. what a wonderful all around man he was & he love charlotte alot… Prayers for his family my heart is also broken it’s like he was my Dad or Grandpa <3 fly high with the angels I love you & miss you so much already…
My prayers are with family sorry for your loss. I only new Rusty with Facebook. Loved to hear his songs. May he rest in peace.
You were such a sincere friend and so kind to every one. I will miss you so much. I know you will be singing up in heaven with the Angel’s as well as being a guardian angel to all whom you emotionally touched here. You are and always be in my prayers. Rest my sweet friend. Love ya and will miss your laugh and sweet smile. Prayers of comfort for your family.
Deepest condolences to all the family.
I met Rusty through Facebook, but felt like I’d known him always.
His love, kindness, and compassion will be greatly missed.
I am so sorry to hear that Rusty has left us. I am proud to say that I was able to be a part of his life playing music. I was planing on coming to the funeral but I have an important appointment at MD Anderson the same day. I will be having more surgery .
I never met Rusty but I was his friend on Facebook for years I loved seeing how posts and also loved watching him sing and play the piano my favorite song that he did was Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain almost felt like he was singing it to me I loved him and will miss him greatly
I will miss you my friend Rusty. My condolences for all the family
I met Rusty on FB and fell in love with his music. Will miss it. Prayers, hugs and love to family from Wisconsin
My dearest Pop I will miss you with all of my heart & soul! I’m so thankful for all the years & memories we’ve had together! The stories I can tell! You will remain in my heart for eternity. I will see you again on the other side my Poppy! All my love! “You Did It Your Way”! 😪❤
Never forget the great times playing music with Rusty …and his humor.
My dear brother, Bob, I love you so much and will miss you every day of my life. I remember growing up how we played music and sang together. You played any instrument you got your hands on / piano, guitar, drums, bass fiddle but for me I stuck with the piano and a little guitar. As dad was a minister we would sing and play and practice for hours. Dad would come in and say, “Did I hear some jazz and blue notes? You know you should play spiritual music in God’s house?” Later though dad admired all the different kinds of music played; he was extremely talented.
Good bye, My sweetheart, little brother, I know you’re leading that Big Band with The Angels now. And mom and dad are listening in your presence. I will meet you one day at the Gate of the Throne. I recognize your music! Love, your sis Loretta
You were a huge part of my life Rusty, you were like a second father to me. I’ll miss you. My heart goes out to Terri, Carri and especially Sherri, Michael, Wendi and Carolyn. You all are in my prayers.
Michael Schoffstall
Rusty thank you for always being there for me through my tough times. You are such a true and dear friend. I will miss your laughter and smile . I ca. Get past this selfishness in a way by watching your recordings, but I know it is not the same…😥😥😥 Rest in peace my dear friend … please keep Richard Walter and Michael O’Conner in line up there and keep us in check here…I love you so much…prayers for your soulmate and wife .
Uncle Bob AKA Rusty Townsend. You will be sadly missed. You were a great man and I loved everytime that we were together. We had so much fun fishing and laughing and I loved listening to you play the piano and singing. You will always have a special place in my heart. There will never be a day that I will not be thinking about you. I know that you are in Heaven with no more pain and just playing in GOD’S band now and singing.
*Rusty, my dear friend. What we all went through together could fill a book.
Our music and our laughs together could fill the first 5 chapters.
You always had a positive outlook on life and found humor in it.
BTW, your middle name, “Gene” is the name of my brother who passed away a couple of years ago. I’m sure you’ll meet him in the hereafter. You’re my brother from another mother.
RIP my dear friend. We all loved you and will miss you beyond words.
Dean
We will always remember you Rusty, your smile,, your singing, your wonderful attitude about life, taken to young but heaven gained an angel, RIP now! You will be missed, prayers to the family
* Dear Rusty.. Lily Brown here from Argentina, you took me as friend years ago, fotr a game.. and I thank God .. I’ve got to meet you, got to hear you sing , laughed to tears with your posts , cried too.. I will miss you so much..so much. It feels like a part of me is missing.. My dear Rusty fly high I love you for ever and ever.