Gene Townsend

White Pine High School

Class of 1961

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Gene Townsend - Class of 1961 - White Pine High School

First Name	Gene
Last Name	Townsend
Graduation Year	Class of 1961
Gender	Male
Current Location	San Antonio, Texas
Relationship Status	Married
About Me	"In 1961, The Journey Began By Gene Townsend, Retired in San Antonio, TX Our WPHS class sauntered down the aisle in May 1961, received our diplomas, walked out of the gym, and onto the road of life. At that time, I was offered an all expense paid scholarship to study music at the University of Nevada. I was to be drum major of their marching band, play bassoon in the orchestra, and saxophone in the university dance band. At the University of Nevada, I would have known a lot of people from White Pine High School. But, at the time, I was confused. So, instead, I decided to attend the University of Utah, where I knew no one. There I majored in journalism, and earned a minor in music, graduating in 1966. Years later, I earned a Master's Degree in Management and Administration from Central Michigan University. After graduating from the University of Utah, the Vietnam War was heating up. So, I accepted a commission in the U.S. Air Force in 1966, where I served for almost 28 years. I served mainly in Air Force public relations. A few of my major assignments include: serving as an instructor at Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas. On an Air Staff assignment, I served as a speech writer for Air Force general officers. I was the Public Affairs Plans officer for the United Nations Command, headquartered in Seoul, Korea. For five years, I served as Editor in Chief for Airman Magazine, the official magazine of the Air Force. It was a 250 thousand four color monthly magazine that was distributed throughout the Air Force. I later served as Editor and Publisher of the European Stars and Stripes, Darmstadt, Germany. I was assigned there four years. It was a 200 thousand daily newspaper serving the troops and their families who were stationed and living in Europe. During Gulf War I, each day, we put the newspaper in the hands of the troops, who went on to defeat Saddam Hussein. One of my prized possessions is a letter of appreciation from General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., Commander of Forces. Some of the more interesting places I was assigned include Holly Wood, Calif., Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Tex., Seoul Korea, and Ramstein and Darmstadt, Germany. I retired in the rank of full colonel.Jeannie and and I retired in San Antonio, Texas. As with several others in my class, it took me more than once to get marriage right. But, did I ever. I met my beautiful bride, and love of my life, Jeannie, while serving in Washington, D.C. We have been married 38 years. It was also her second marriage. We have four children Jet, Kim, Steven, and Stacy. We have five grandchildren, Andrew 19, and Abby 16, April 16 and Harrison 14, and Claire 16. After retiring from the Air Force, I worked as a vice president of marketing for a major San Antonio bank. In 1998, I was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church. I am serving as an ordained deacon at St. Pius X Catholic Church, San Antonio, Tex. I have retired from all secular jobs. My parents moved to Las Vegas in 1962. That fact kept me from returning to Ely as often as I would have liked. But, Ely is the place where I grew up, where I formed my values, where I think of as my home. In Ely, I was taught love of country, love of the outdoors, that your word was your bond, and you made a contract by shaking on it. Jeannie and I enjoy traveling and spoiling our five grand children. Come and see us sometime Sincerely, Gene Townsend White Pine High School Graduating Class of 1961 PS I don't know where to put this, so I'll put it here. It tells about one of the toughest choices ever faced in my life. I had played basketball and was in the band my first two years of high school. My junior year, I wanted to try out for the varsity, and letter in basketball. Then, I was offered the drum major, pep band, and dance band leader positions. I told the band teacher, Mr. Ellet that I wanted to play basketball. He said fine, and for me to turn in my uniforms. I did not sleep too well that evening. The next morning I went to band practice and told Mr. Ellet that I wanted to remain in band. I have never really made peace with that issue. However, the band was an excellent institution, received numerous awards, and comprised of many people who went on to become very successful and major contributors to society. Had I chosen basketball, only God knows how my life might have turned out differently. I might have attended the University of Nevada at Reno instead of the University of Utah at Salt Lake. I am most happy how my life eventually did ...(read more)