JONESBORO — Matthew Damon Townsend, 68,
of Jonesboro, passed from this life and joined his Savior on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center. Born in Nevada, Missouri, Matt moved to Jonesboro with his family at an early age.
He was a 7th grade student the first year MacArthur Junior High School opened its doors in Jonesboro. He transferred to Nettleton in the 8th grade and was a 1971 graduate of Nettleton High School, where he excelled in football. The high school quarterback married the high school cheerleader, Marilyn, shortly after graduation. He was married to his high school sweetheart for over 48 years until his passing. Matt began a lifelong career with Bonanza Steakhouse in Jonesboro and was the manager of Bonanza restaurants in Conway, Little Rock, El Dorado, Blytheville, and finally settled down to a 30-year stay in Forrest City where he operated a Bonanza later to be known as Pops’ Place. Matt moved with his family back to Jonesboro in 2014 where they became members of Central Baptist Church.
Matt was a fully committed member of various Forrest City activities. He was a dedicated member of the Forrest City Lions Club, involved with the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Forrest City Advertising and Promotion Committee. Matt was a long-time supporter of the Forrest City High School Mustangs Athletic Booster Club and he served as a proud member of the football chain gang, and only missed one game in 27 years of service. The lone game he missed was when he escorted his wife Marilyn to a Nettleton High School reunion of past homecoming queens. For many years Matt would feed the high school football team their pre-game meal at his restaurant. Golf was a true passion of Matt’s. He played many rounds of golf and developed so many friendships and memories at Ridgecrest Country Club where he continued to work on and improve his golf game. He even achieved the status of Club Champion at Ridgecrest and jokingly referred to himself as the “Club Chump”. Matt was a regular caller to the daily Morning Show on KXJK and established many friendships sharing many humorous stories with the listeners through the years.
Matt was preceded in death by his parents: Ed and Joyce Damon Townsend and a brother, Mark Townsend. Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of 48 years, Marilyn Chappel of the home. He will also be dearly missed by his children and grandchildren. He leaves behind his daughter, Tara Townsend Thomason, his son, Aaron (Amanda) Townsend, and his daughter, Abby (Blake) Powell, all of Jonesboro. He also leaves his brother, Scott (Marie) Townsend of Manila; and his sister, Robin (Jerry) Gasaway of Jonesboro; and six grandchildren, who were his pride and joy: Rylee Thomason, Grayson Thomason, Payton Thomason, Lilly Powell, Hudson Powell and Ameliah Townsend. And a host of many dear family, friends and acquaintances over the span of his life.
Matt had a personal relationship with his savior, Jesus, and told as many people who would listen about how they could also come to know him. It’s possible, if Matt could share one thing, he would want everyone to accept Jesus as their personal savior. He never failed to tell his family and friends what they meant to him and forever shared how blessed he was.
There will be a Celebration of Life gathering in the Cooper Alumni Center on the Arkansas State University campus from 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18. In lieu of flowers and for lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online registry at: www.emersonfuneralhome.com.