Army Silver Star recipient Garold “Skip” Townsend, son of Francis and Harry “Bud” Townsend, Navy Seaman 2nd Class, died at his home in Oak Harbor, Wash. Born on Memorial Day, May 30, 1939 in Hawthorne, Calif., Skip lived a life of achievement and relationships.

Beginning in Van Nuys, Calif., as class president at his junior high school, Skip developed friendships he would have for his lifetime. Following his graduation from Birmingham High School in 1957, Skip earned a scholarship to play football for the University of Arizona.

At Arizona, Skip achieved in both athletics and academics while again developing relationships that would last throughout his life. During the 1961 season Skip played “both ways” for the Wildcats as they finished the season ranked 17th in the country with an overall record of 8-1-1.

The most important relationship Skip developed while at the University of Arizona was with fellow student and soon to be wife, Terry Reist. In their close to 30 years of marriage, Skip and Terry would provide their son, Tim, and daughter, Kera, a never-ending foundation of love and support.

Graduating from Arizona in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Skip proposed to Terry. They moved back to Southern California, where Skip joined the Army Reserves and was ultimately assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.

In 1968, Skip was sent from Fort Lewis, Wash. to serve in Vietnam. Rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant, Skip served with distinction, earning the Vietnam Defense Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal with Valor; the Bronze Star with Valor; and the Silver Star.

Following his military service, Skip accepted an offer to work at the Gene Autry owned radio station, KMPC 710, in Los Angeles, broadcasting games for the LA Rams, the California Angels and the UCLA Bruins. KMPC was one of LA’s most popular radio stations during the 1970s.

In 1979, Skip was offered a promotion to become the sales manager at fellow Golden West Broadcasting affiliate, KEX 1190, in Portland, Ore.

After serving as the Sales Manager at KEX for 4 years, Skip was offered the general sales manager position at “Top 40” FM station, KUBE 93.3, in Seattle. As the general sales manager in charge of sales from 1983 until the station’s format change in the early 1990s, Skip was heavily involved as KUBE rose to become the No. 1 rated music station in Seattle.

After his time at KUBE, Skip worked for “oldies” station, KOOL, in Phoenix Ariz, before returning to Washington in the late ’90s.

In the early 2000s, Skip retired to Oak Harbor, Wash, where he was active in the choir at the Church of the Nazarene.

In addition to the friends and relationships he developed at the church, Skip was a member of the North Puget Sound Dragon Boat Club. On summer Wednesday nights, Skip could be found out on the waters of Oak Harbor in the hull of the team’s dragon boat, urging his teammates to “paddle strong.” Skip loved competing with the team in dragon boat events around the Northwest.

Skip is survived by his sisters Lynne and Tamara, his brother Craig, his son Tim, daughter Kera, and most importantly, his three Grandchildren who he loved to fly paper airplanes with: Devyn, Bryce and Nate.

Memorial Services will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene.

Skip’s family is working with the military to recognize and honor his Service with a color guard and presentation of the flag, before laying him to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com