Rev. Arnold Gene Townsend

Arnold Gene Townsend, affectionately known as Reverend Townsend, was born on May 11, 1943 on indigenous tribal lands in Phoenix, Arizona and raised by his grandparents, Nellie Rose Sparks and Edward Cornwell in Oklahoma. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1967 and returned to California, commuting between San Francisco and Los Angeles before settling in the Fillmore District of San Francisco. Reverend Townsend attended San Francisco State University (SFSU) and was a member of the Black Student Union during its activist heyday.  He could often be found front and center leading protests in the fight for social equity with the goal of destroying systemic racism. 

Reverend Townsend volunteered his time as a Board Member of the LoveLife Foundation and was a member of countless city commissions and civic bodies and even ran for the Board of Supervisors in the 70’s.  He served as vice-president of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP). Townsend served on the AAACC Board of Directors for two decades, and served as its president from 2014 until his passing. Reverend Townsend was a Giant in the community, not only in the Fillmore District but throughout the city of San Francisco and beyond. He was a voice of reason, authority, ethical behavior, moral purpose, and social advocacy, always striving to make the city a more just, equitable and inviting place to be. Reverend Townsend worked tirelessly to uplift all people, and his commitment to public service extended to all corners of our city, but he was not shy about fighting for the rights of Black people, here in San Francisco, and everywhere.  

A man of boundless energy, tremendous oratory skills, and considerable charm, Townsend was called by many names: “Rev T,” “Pops,” “Doc,” and “Butch.” Townsend mentored generations of young people, inspired countless San Franciscans, and held untold others to account with his relentless pursuit of justice, and his generosity of spirit. He loved, loved the San Francisco Giants although most of his family members loved that rival team from Los Angeles.  Reverend Townsend was a regular at Giants baseball games and never missed an Opening Day.  Reverend Townsend was an avid reader, who loved music, plays, musicals and concerts. He never hesitated to talk about his love for God.  He always shared his testimony and reminded people that God’s love surpasses all things.  He served for over 30 years as the Assistant Pastor alongside Senior Pastor Henry L. Davis II of the Church Without Walls.  He considered every church member a part of his family and was there to share in many milestones from baptisms, graduations, celebrations, court dates and funerals.

Out of everything accomplished in life, Townsend’s greatest joy was being a father and grandfather.  Townsend was always beaming with pride and bragging about his kids and grandkids.  His baby daughter Rachel was the apple of his eye and could do no wrong in his eyes.  He loved raising her along with her siblings.  After meeting the woman he cherished dearly, Brenda, he jumped right in to call her son Corey his own.  They shared a special relationship in which no one could say anything bad about Corey, not even Brenda. A piece of Townsend died in 2018 when Rachel suddenly passed away, however after adding his DNA to Ancestry.com Townsend received a life-changing email 11 months after Rachel’s passing.  The email explained that he was a match to daughter, Natalie, whom he met one month later.  Townsend loved sharing this story and proudly proclaimed how he was a living example of God's love and goodness.  Meeting his daughter Natalie, a renowned Jazz singer, definitely rejuvenated Townsend; he never missed an opportunity to sit in the front row beaming with pride at her performances.

Reverend Arnold Gene Townsend passed away on October 7, 2024.  He was preceded in death by many loved ones including his beloved daughter Rachel Brooke Townsend and son Dale Hayes. He is survived by daughters Natalie Douglas (Billy Joe Young) of New York, Wendi Gaines and Amber Todd; sons Corey Jackson, Mark and Eric Hayes. God-Son Moses Jefferson; partner

Brenda Jackson; siblings Brenda Garrett-Stafford, Cheryl Paul, Marilyn Mindingall, and Rupert Paul Jr.; numerous “sibling” cousins including from the Cornwell and Fitchpatrick families; grandbabies, nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and many other family and countless friends. The world is poorer due to the passing of a Giant, Reverend Arnold Townsend, however he continues to live on in each of us.  

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy …”

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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