Thomas Ninde "Tom" Townsend

Thomas Ninde “Tom” Townsend was born February 13, 1975, in Tulsa, OK, to Robert Willsie Townsend and Ada Kay (Hull) Townsend. He was called home on June 12, 2026, in Owasso, OK at the age of 51.

He grew up in the Sand Springs/Mannford area with his beloved parents and two brothers. The family was always together, building lasting memories and strong bonds that he carried into his adulthood. Tom graduated from Mannford High School in 1993 and went on to study and earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University. Tom was a very smart man and educated from an early age, which explained why he had such a way with words. Tom met the love of his life, Carla, in Stillwater in 2002, and they were married on October 7, 2006. This year would have been their 20th wedding anniversary. In 2008, they gave birth to their son and their pride and joy, Tysen. They moved to Owasso shortly after Tysen was born and continued their journey on to many beautiful memories. Tom approached life with curiosity, determination, and a desire to understand how things worked. This is what made Tom special, it was how he lived. He was always finding new hobbies that he grew enthusiastic about. Tom enjoyed all sports physically and fanatically. He had a competitor’s spirit; from disc golf to CrossFit, to becoming a black belt in jiu jitsu. There was no challenge Tom would not pursue. He also participated in many intermural sports leagues like co-ed softball and soccer. Tom would often enjoy attending OSU sports such as baseball, wrestling, and football (always trying to encourage people to join him in the fun). And of course, he loved the Kansas City Chiefs, often throwing watch parties during the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Through all of this, Tom built strong bonds and lifelong friendships. Tom enjoyed working on and discussing anything that involved mechanics and everything that went along with it such as boating, racing, and anything related to vehicles. This exemplified why he enjoyed his occupation as an oil and gas engineer. He was also great at woodworking - fixing fences, building dog houses, chicken coops, garden beds, and whatever his imagination could come up with. Tom enjoyed taking trips with his family. There were many memorable snowboarding trips, road trips, camping trips, and vacation destinations. Each trip was truly an adventure with Tom. Tom grew up in nature and loved exploring and gardening. Tom enjoyed spending time with his extended family too. He was the fun creator in all aspects of life, especially when it came to spending time with his nephews and Mikayla, who he considered his niece. He was an animal lover and animals loved him. When visiting friends, the dogs were often the first to be greeted by Tom.

But most of all, Tom was a devoted and loving husband to Carla and father to his son, Tysen. Tom and Tysen bonded from the moment Tysen was born in all things a little boy and his dad could bond over. Most recently, a bond for the love of music. Tom was so proud of the young man Tysen has become. He celebrated his accomplishments, believed in his future, and loved him unconditionally. The bond they shared was one of the greatest joys in Tom’s life.

As we reflect on Tom’s life, we see how many lives he touched. We see his mother, who loved him from the very beginning. We see his brothers, whose bond with him was built over a lifetime of memories. We see friends who became family. We see people whose lives are better because they knew Tom. We see his wife, his partner, his greatest supporter, and the person he built a life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering commitment. His life will live on through all the lives he touched. The stories that can be shared about Tom tell us something important. Tom was a great man. He was an important part to his family, his friends, his colleagues, and to everyone fortunate enough to know this one-of-a-kind man. Tom’s life cannot be measured by the length of time he was here, but by the love he gave and the memories he leaves behind. Those memories live on in all of us. We will miss his presence, his laughter, his encouragement, and the way he made life brighter for the people around him. We wish we had more time. More conversations. More adventures. More games to watch. More milestones to celebrate together. But while we grieve the years, we hoped to have, we are grateful for the years we were given.

He is survived by his wife, Carla Townsend; son, Tysen Townsend; mother, Ada Townsend; brothers, Bob Townsend, and Dave Townsend and wife, Melissa; aunt, Beverly Conatser and husband, Ross; uncle, David Hull and wife, Tracy; nieces and nephews, Mikayla, Easton, Jett, Jaxon and Jarrett; mother-in-law, Bonnie Valtr and husband, Dennis; brother-in-law, Jon Bocox; sisters-in-law, Kaelyn Hedges and husband, Hesston, and Traci Da Rosa; several other aunts, uncles, cousins and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Townsend; and aunt, Linda Coffey.

A Celebration of Life service for Tom was held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Collinsville, OK with Pastor Tim Prock officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, OK. Honorary Casket bearers were Bob Townsend, Dave Townsend, Tysen Townsend, Easton Townsend, Matt Sullins, Carl Butts and Lee Killian.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to a fund for his son, Tysen at https://gofund.me/a4b4d7e09

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.