Ira "Kent" Townsend, 76, of Jesup passed away, Sunday, September 22, 2024 under the care of Cotton Grove Estates and GHC Hospice. The Florida native had lived in Jesup since 1993 and was a member of the church of Christ where he served as an elder.  He was born in Jacksonville, FL to Ira Edge and June Havener Townsend. He graduated from Forest High School in Jacksonville in 1966 and from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1972. His Army military career included a tour in Vietnam with several commendations. He also served as the Company Commander of President Gerald Ford's Clemency Program in 1974-75 which took him to Indiana where he met his wife. He was employed by Irvington-Moore in Jacksonville after the military and later worked as an engineer for Weyerhaeuser Company in Hot springs, AR, and the Rayonier Lumber Mill in Baxley, Ga. In his spare time he enjoyed reading the Bible, working the stock market, and gardening.  He was predeceased in death by his parents and his brother, Dale Townsend.

Survivors are his wife of 49 years, Sherry Townsend, 2 sons, Jerrett (Jennifer) Townsend of Jesup and LTC Jeb (Jessica) Townsend of Caldogno, Italy; 3 grandsons, Jet , Edge  and Lincoln Townsend; 2 granddaughters, Jaycie  and Aurellia Townsend; 3 brothers, Keith (Rita) Townsend of Jacksonville, Kirk (Marylnn) Townsend of Keystone Heights, FL, and Daryl (Missy) Townsend of Middleburg, FL; 2 brothers-in-law, Jack (B.J.) Plunkitt of Indianpolis, IN, Steve (Cindy) Plunkitt of Imlay City, MI;  sister in law, Mary Townsend of Jacksonville and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 27, 2024 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with his brother, Daryl Townsend, officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family.

Family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Cotton Grove Estates, 249 Joe Naia Road, Jesup, GA 31545.

The family would like to thank the owners and care givers of Cotton Grove Estates for the loving care they provided for Kent.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.