Jerry Townsend

Imagine a glorious childhood exploring the outdoors in central California with a family which camped 40 weekends a year. My parents devoted themselves to me and my dear sister, Gail.

In high school I played football, basketball and golf and edited the school newspaper. Served as editor of the Hartnell College newspaper and founding editor of the college magazine. Went on to San Jose State University and was elected editor of the Spartan Daily. Along the way wrote sports for a daily newspaper, worked in TV news and production, and did a stint in public relations for Santa Clara County.

After two years of high school teaching, earned an MA at University of Missouri School of Journalism, covering the legislature, state government and politics full time for the daily Missourian. Also wrote a weekly column on state government for Missouri Press Association, published in 80 newspapers. Freelanced in photojournalism for AP, national magazines and major newspapers.

Taught journalism at University of Missouri, Central Wyoming College, Kansas State University , San Antonio College, and now at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. While teaching full time I made half my income as a photojournalist and professional people photographer. I took a leave of absence and A&M full time in the middle 1980s.

In the 90s I turned my attention to Macintosh computers, left teaching for 7 years, founded Mac Answers, a 5-member consulting services firm which I sold to my employees in 1998. We had 2,000 clients back then.

My wife, Barbara, and I wed in 2010, the second marriage for both of us. We love playing and traveling together. Though we began more than 15 years ago, we still behave like newlyweds. What a wonderful, loving partner!

Barbara and I travel often to wild areas, parks all over the US and to a 1930s vintage family cabin in an old growth forest on Mt. Hood in Oregon near where I was born.

I have a son, Jason, who works as an Apple software engineer on the main campus in Cupertino. He and wife Kathy have two terrific young boys, Lucas and Gavin.

My daughter, Natalie, lives in Adelaide, Australia, with husband Darren. They have a lovely baby daughter, Adeline. Natalie is manager of data systems at the University of Adelaide alumni office.

Barbara has three sons, all of whom live in San Antonio. We visit often.

Through the years I have relished the freedom to create, to grow and to fill my days with the best in life. Better yet, I have received much love from my family and friends. I find joy every day and try to share that with others. I feel tremendously grateful for all of it.