Jupe Townsend, age 66 of Malvern, died Tuesday, August 14, 2012, in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. He was born in Dierks , Arkansas on December 20, 1945 to the late Harmon Townsend and Jewel Kirby Townsend. Reared and receiving his early education in Dierks, he later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from the University of Arkansas at Monticello . He worked for the Arkansas Forestry Commission for 45 years, retiring in June of this year. He had served as District Forester in Fordyce, Magnolia, and since 1991, in Malvern. Jupe was a member of First United Methodist Church .

He is survived by his wife, Jan Jones Townsend, to whom he was married on August 28, 1970 at the Harmony Baptist Church in Thornton, Arkansas; by his two daughters, Jill Whatley and her husband, Stephen of Rogers, Arkansas, and Julie Gibbs and her husband, Johnny of Malvern; by three grandchildren, Jack and Caroline Whatley, and Jayci Gibbs; by two sisters, Joan Schattel of Longview, Texas, and Jan Runyan and her husband, Travis of Hot Springs; by a special sister-in-law, Peggy Parker; and by an innumerable host of friends.

His funeral will be on Friday afternoon, August 17, 2012 at two o'clock in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church with Reverend LaVon Post officiating and Mr. John Shannon and Judge Chris Williams as eulogists. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery .

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from six until eight o'clock.

Pallbearers will be: Dennis Sharp, Jim Trudell, Dennis Prince, Steve Efird, Joe Fox, Bob Summerville, Randy Gill, and Jesse Rucker. Honorary pallbearers will be: District 5 Forestry Commission, Genesis Cancer Center and Staff, Dr. Timothy Webb, Dr. Shawn Purifoy and staff, Ed Schales, and Denny Teeter.

Memorials may take the form of donations to Our Promise Cancer Resources, 133 Harmony Park Circle , Hot Springs , AR 71913 , or to First United Methodist Church , Malvern.

Jupe left instructions to express, in this manner, his gratitude and appreciation to all his many friends for their love and devotion to him and Jan throughout the years.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.