Raymond Jay Townsend

Raymond Jay Townsend, age 73, a resident of Lisle, IL for 33 years, passed away unexpectedly December 6, 2021. He was born May 9, 1948 in Whitehall, Montana to Inez and Earl Townsend of Trident.



The family moved to Three Forks, Montana where Ray attended high school and graduated in 1966. After graduation he started working for the Milwaukee Railroad and was called to service by the US military. He served in the Army for three years in Fort Bliss Texas and South Korea. During his time of service, he married Dorothy Lamach in Three Forks, Montana in 1970.



After his service he returned to his work on the railroad as a brakeman conductor. He attended a 2-year technical school where he got his degree. He joined the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and continued to work with the railroad as a communications/electronics technician for the remainder of his 45-year career. Ray was a member of the Three Forks American Legion Post.



He and Dorothy had two daughters in Montana. The family lived in Three Forks, Livingston and Helena before moving to Lisle, Illinois where they have lived since 1988.



They returned every year to Montana to visit friends and family and enjoy the mountains. Ray enjoyed hiking, hunting, camping, photography, and spending time with his friends. Over his past almost 20 years, his life has been filled with joy spending time with his five grandchildren and family.



Ray is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dorothy; his loving daughters, Rena (Nick) Solano and Becky Townsend; his cherished grandchildren, Victoria Gail, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Matthew and Caroline Solano; his brothers, Max Townsend and Gene (Pat) Townsend, sister in law Marie, his Aunt Blanche Almendinger and Uncle Lewis May; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Inez Townsend, and his siblings, Carl “Pat” Townsend, Gail Wilson and Richard Townsend.



For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Ray’s life, memorial donations may be directed to the Three Forks Ambulance or the Headwaters Trail System in Three Forks, Montana.



A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 10:30 at K&L Funeral Home in Three Forks followed by internment at Fairview Cemetery.