John Louis Townley

Captain John L. Townley USN, Ret. was commissioned in 1954 upon graduation from the regular NROTC program at UCLA.  He served at sea in the Weapons and Operations Departments of the USS HOLLISTER (DD-788), as Executive Officer of the USS TERREL COUNTY (LST-1157) and USS R.K. HUNTINGTON (DD-781) and as Commanding officer, USS COURTNEY (DE-1021) and USS BASILONE (DD-824).  Captain Townley's duty ashore has been as Weapons Instructor at the US Naval Academy, Data Processing Supervisor at the Bureau of Naval Personnel and as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff, Headquarters, US. European Command, and worked in the Pentagon.  He is a graduate of the School of Command and Staff and the School of Naval Warfare at the Naval War College and is a graduate of the Air War College Associate program.  He received his MS. Degree from George Washington University in 1965.  Captain Townley created the prestigious Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, RI, the first school to train naval officers in warfare tactics and served as its first school director. 

Captain Townley retired to a civilian career as Vice President, Fleet Operations at Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company in Cleveland, Ohio.  His final occupation was owner-operator of NorthCoast HomePro, a successful home inspection business in the east side of Cleveland.

Captain Townley was married to his UCLA sweetheart, Lucille Langdon, for 65 years. They traveled the world including military tours in Japan and Germany with their family.  Since 2006, the couple has resided in their home in Dublin, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister and his eldest son, Mark. He is survived by his wife, Lucille, son Mitchell and daughter Kristen, their spouses, four grandchildren, their spouses, and three great-grandchildren.  

Captain Townley is awaiting the date of his burial service at Arlington Cemetery with full honors. There is no local memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, personal cards with memories and condolences can be sent to Lucille Townley.