Thomas Edward “Tommy” Townsend, O.D.

Tommy was born on April 21, 1951, to the late Ava Edward Townsend and the late Evelyn Ruth Kirk Townsend.

He married Melanie Bivens Townsend on May 16, 1981. Melanie survives of Paris, TN.

Tommy was a 1969 graduate of E.W. Grove High School and attended Freed-Hardeman University before graduating from Southern College of Optometry in 1975, where he also completed his Therapeutic Optometric Residency. He practiced optometry in Henry County for 50 years before retiring in 2025. He also served as the Tennessee National Guard's State Optometrist for more than 20 years.

He was a member and past president of the Paris Rotary Club for 51 years and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Tommy also served on the Freed-Hardeman University Board of Trustees for 25 years, as a Henry County Commissioner for six years, on the Henry County Election Commission, on the board of Henry County Helping Hand, and on the Obong Missions U.S. Advancement Board.

Tommy was a licensed private pilot with more than 200 hours of flight time and a big supporter of the University of Tennessee athletics program. He enjoyed fishing, RVing, and photographing his wife, Melanie, while she ate.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his nephew, Dr. Joshua (Erin) Coleman of Paris, granddaughter, Eva Coleman; sisters, Judy Varner of Paris, and Janice (Tom) Fowler of Little Rock, Ark.; nieces, Cindy (Vance) Allbritten of Paducah, Kentucky, Dr. Amy Varner of Marietta, Georgia, Kelly Shaffer, and Madison Dennis; nephews, Robby Midyett, and Cameron Midyett; great-nieces, Emily Allbritten, Madalyn Valenzuela, and June Dennis; and great-nephews, Nate Allbritten, Joshua Allbritten, Evan Allbritten, and Matthew Valenzuela.

Along with his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his stepmother, Virginia Coleman Townsend; and two infant siblings, Kirk Townsend and Cindy Townsend.

Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, 38242, is handling the arrangements. Visitation is Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Monday, July 6, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Eastwood Church of Christ on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. with John Dale and Roy Hawkins officiating.

Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery with David Travis, Jay Travis, Buddy Babb, Larry Cox, Craig Brown, and Dickie Wyatt serving as pallbearers.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Paris Rotary Club.

Memorials may be made to the Tommy and Melanie Townsend Scholarship Fund, 158 E. Main Street, Henderson, TN 38340, or Obong Missions c/o Alvaton Church of Christ, 10134 Alvaton Road, Alvaton, KY 42122.