Longwood Cemetery, Kay County, Oklahoma

Elmer J.R. Townley, resident of Ponca City, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2009 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 79.

J.R. was born the son of Elmer Townley and Elsie Rosalie Anderson Townley on March 19, 1930 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He married Doris Hill of Muskogee, Oklahoma on March 19, 1948 in Ponca City and to this union, two children were born. He was a gas truck driver at Community Gasoline for over 40 years and then a driver at Cross Oil for several years until his retirement. J.R. loved making music. He truly enjoyed singing, playing the base guitar, attending church and playing his base guitar at church. J.R. was an excellent mechanic and handyman who could fix or make just about anything. J.R. loved fishing too. He was a wonderful husband, father and especially the best grandpa ever.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Doris of the home; son, Daryl Townley of Duncan, Oklahoma; sisters, Kathleen Chaney and husband, Lowell of Marana, Arizona, Melba McGhee and husband, Russell of Ponca City, Oklahoma and Peggy Rice and husband, Larry of Claremore, Oklahoma; sisters in law, Marsha Townley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Margaret Townley of Pawhuska, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Karen Pritchard of Marlow, Oklahoma and Kristie Lynn of Velma, Oklahoma; great grandchildren, Tyler Pritchard, Dakota Lynn and Checotah Lynn.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Carolyn Jean Townley, 2004; and brothers, Eldon Townley and Eddie Townley.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 29, at Ponca City Free Will Baptist Church with Reverend David L. Bigger officiating. Burial will follow at Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Those wishing to sign J.R.'s online guestbook can go to www.gracememorialchapel.net.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]