Jim Henry (the Penny Man) Townsend, Jr.

March 4, 1938 ~ February 19, 2024 (age 85)

Hamilton – Services for Jim Henry Townsend, Jr., age 85, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church in Hamilton, Texas, with Reverend Lyndon Pettijohn officiating. Burial will follow at Live Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Lacy Funeral Home.

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

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 over fifty 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, Texas; children, Michael Townsend of Hondo, Texas; and Randall Townsend and wife, Tammy of Hamilton, Texas; 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.