Robert Lee Townsend

Robert Lee Townsend, 84, retired Law Enforcement employee, died Saturday, January 27, 2018 at his residence in Columbia. A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 12:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Jerry Elder officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be made to Alzheimer's Association, 478 Craighead Street, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37204, Maury Christian Camp, c/o Graymere Church of Christ, 1320 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401, or America's VetDogs, 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born April 28, 1933 in Warren County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Charles Lee Townsend and the late Margaret Cantrell Townsend. He attended Columbia Military Academy and received his high school diploma from Columbia Central High School. Mr. Townsend served in the United States Air Force and worked for several law enforcement agencies in Middle Tennessee. In the mid 1950's he worked for the Tennessee Highway Patrol and was assigned to Governor Frank G. Clement's details. In the late 1950's he and Howard Kelley owned and operated a martial arts school and he was also employed with several local businesses and plants in Maury County throughout the years. He enjoyed history, especially the Civil War era, and was very faith oriented and educated on the Bible. Survivors include his daughter, Debbie (Ron) Cooley of Chesterfield, Missouri; and grandsons, Christopher (Sean) Cooley; and Patrick (Erika) Cooley both of Tallahassee, Florida.