Submitted by his Son

Phillip joined the fire department on December 1‚ 2005 until December 30‚ 2006-he was there two days shy of 13 months…

Phillip was very involved with his family his career and the community. He coached girls softball. Phillip was in the United States Army prior to the fire service.

He was named firefighter of the year 2006.

He completed a training course in Radiological Emergency Preparedness on October 19‚ 2006; Firefighter basic on May 15‚ 2006 and EMT basic on June 15‚ 2006. The family received his EMT intermediate on May 12‚ 2007.

Phillip is survived by his father Larry Townsend and fianc_e Lori; mother Sherry Richardson; sons Maddox‚ Rylen and Tristian‚ sister Stormy Townsend-Sparks and husband Randy; and children Deni‚ Colby and Keeley. Grandmother Cleda Richardson and grandparents Marvin and Helen Townsend; girlfriend Tresa Curtis and daughter Kassidy. Numerous family and a host of friends.

Phillip always had a smile on his face. He enjoyed life to the fullest. He and his father loved to play golf. Phillip was adventurous‚ and just the greatest to be around. He was the sun and moon all by himself. Phillip could turn a bad thing into something good. He was an amazing son‚ brother and father. He will never be forgotten. We miss him‚ but he will always be with us no matter where we are. He is in Gods arms now. Until the day we rejoice‚ we will live our lives in memory of him. Our hero.

Submitted by his Girlfriend

Phillip joined the fire department on December 1‚ 2005 until December 30‚ 2006-he was there two days shy of 13 months…

Phillip was very involved with his family his career and the community. He coached girls softball. Phillip was in the United States Army prior to the fire service.

He was named firefighter of the year 2006.

He completed a training course in Radiological Emergency Preparedness on October 19‚ 2006; Firefighter basic on May 15‚ 2006 and EMT basic on June 15‚ 2006. The family received his EMT intermediate on May 12‚ 2007.

Phillip is survived by his father Larry Townsend and mother Sherry Richardson; sons Maddox‚ Rylen and Tristian‚ and chosen daughter Kassidy, Tresa the woman that stood by him supported him in everything he wanted to be in life. sister Stormy Townsend-Sparks and husband Randy; and children Deni‚ Colby and Keeley. Grandmother Cleda Richardson and grandparents Marvin and Helen Townsend. Numerous family and a host of friends.

Phillip always had a smile on his face. He enjoyed life to the fullest. He and his father loved to play golf. Phillip was adventurous‚ and just the greatest to be around. He was the sun and moon all by himself. Phillip could turn a bad thing into something good. He was an amazing son‚ brother and father and was truly the love of my life.

Phillip was a man amongst men. He had the greatest attitude I have ever seen in a man. He was my soulmate, my best friend and he gave me our son Tristian.

Phillip was a wonderful father to his children and how his eyes would light up every time he seen them. Our daughter Kassidy never knew her biological father. To her‚ Phillip was her daddy. I still remember the first time she called him that. I was so scared; I just didn’t know what to think. It was okay. He took her in and raised her as his own. Phillip will always be our hero for that. She was the only little girl he’d ever have.

And as for Tristian‚ how he and Phillip would be when they were together. He is his father in every way you could imagine. I would come home from work at night. Of course Phillip would have dinner made for me. Yet he still had the children up playing golf in the house. He just couldn’t bear to put Tristian to bed. He would sit and read them bed time stories and sing to them. I miss those days. The two of them were inseparable. Everything was dada. I am so glad that Tristian and Kassidy were with him everyday that they had together.

I could have never thought that God would send someone as great as Phillip to me. He loved me and I truly loved him more than anyone could love another person. Phillip was sent to me for a reason. Maybe it was to make me a better person. Or maybe we were a power team. He was so passionate and caring. When I was sick‚ he’d baby me and when I felt scared he’d comfort me. I felt secure in his arms. I gave him my heart and he will forever have it. The day he laid his life on the line and perished so did that part of me. I will be with him again when the Lord calls me home. He and the children were my life. Right now I am so scared and I just wish he was here with the kids and me. Although he is not with us in the flesh‚ I do know that he is still with us in spirit.

Phillip loved working for the fire department. I remember the day his father called. Wow‚ he rushed up to the department. Larry told him that he started on December 1. He was so excited he almost knocked his father down. His words were‚ ‘now I really can be just like my dad.’ I was so proud of him. He was happy and that was all I needed. He enjoyed every minute being there. Phillip loved it so much that he joined another volunteer fire dept the next city over. He always told me that he was proud that he was able to do some good and save the lives of others. What woman couldn’t love a man with that good of a heart? Thank you Lord for sending me such a special man.

The children and I‚ as well as the family‚ are lost without him. That big beautiful smile‚ those dark brown eyes and just the handsome and funny man he was‚ will be forever missed. He had a way to brighten our days.

I just try to tell the kids‚ that their daddy is that brightest ray of sunshine in our mornings and the brightest star in our nights. He will always be with them in everything they do. I promise that the two of them will know how much he loved us and how wonderful of a man he was to everyone he met. Phillip is one man that no one will ever forget. He is our angel‚ and believe me he gained his his wings. We love you Phillip‚ and we always will. We will see you soon. Until then‚ please watch over us and guide us through.

Forever and ever my love.