Longtime funeral director, EMT pioneer dies

The funeral for a Gainesville man who devoted most of his life to serving others will be held Friday at Little-Davenport Funeral Home.

Mutt Townsend, 80, died Monday at Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Gainesville.

In 1976, he was in the first graduating class of EMT’s for Georgia, graduating near the top of his class – #191 out of a class of 200. Another first for Hall County came in 1979 when Townsend partnered with Danny Baugh to establish the area’s first Non-Emergency Ambulance Service.

Three years ago, he was recognized and received a certificate of achievement for 50 years of service from the Georgia Funeral Directors Association. In 57 years as a Funeral Director, he had the honor of serving families from all walks of life, according to his obituary, which can be found here: Obituary for Charles Richard “Mutt” Townsend | Little & Davenport Funeral Home (littledavenport.com)