Wendell Westley Towns

Wendell Westley Towns was born July 7, 1949 in Dermott, Arkansas. He spent most of life in Columbus, Ohio, and has been a resident of the City of Westerville (Ohio) since 1995. Wendell graduated from Columbus South High School in June of 1968. He attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University where he received an Associate of Arts degree in 1972. Wendell also played basketball at Mount Vernon and was their “Most Valuable Player” two years in a row during his matriculation. As a sophomore, Wendell posted one of the most impressive seasons in the school’s history as he averaged 25.2 points and 25.6 rebounds per game. He had three games that season with 30 or more points and 30 or more rebounds. His most impressive performance came in a 104 – 89 victory of which he scored 34 points and grabbed 34 rebounds. In the spring of 2003, Wendell was added to the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Cougar Wall of Fame. Wendell proudly served twenty-six years as a Police Officer with the City of Columbus, Division of Police Department from September 18, 1977 through April 12, 2003. During that time, Wendell had a distinguished career; he was recipient of the Silver Cross Award for his bravery (February 1983), and received recognition as “Police Officer of the Month” (March 2003). Wendell supported causes for the Fraternal Order of Police, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Vets. He also acted as a mentor to young troubled youth. His favorite hobby was fishing and he loved watching football and basketball games. Wendell also worked as a roofer and often did side jobs for friends. Wendell was a private man, but once you got to know him you would quickly get a sense of his charm and humor. Most of all, Wendell was a caring man that always put family first whether it was caring for his mother, helping his older brother through life, seeing his nephew through school, or caring for his sister’s needs. He could always be counted on and will be forever missed. Wendell passed away Friday, April 20, 2018 in his residence. He was preceded in death by his father Fred Douglas Towns, mother Mildred Evelyn Wilson, sister Deborah Denise Towns, and brother Fred Towns. Wendell is survived by his sister Brenda Eloistine Mitchell, nephew Khari Alimayu Towns, two nieces, Afi Tene Smith and Lisa Tucker; and a host of other relatives and friends. Wendell was a cat lover and is survived also by his cherished pets, America, a rescued kitten that he adopted, and Solo, his late brother’s cat.