Joe "Red" Towner

Joe "Red" Towner was born in Menlo, WA, to Joseph L. and Edith Jones Towner. He was an outstanding scholar and athlete at Willapa Valley High School, Menlo, WA. Before graduation, Joe enlisted in the Naval Air Corps, trained, and served as a gunner on the PBY-5A Catalina over the Gulf of Mexico. He served in Oklahoma; Corpus Christi, TX; Great Lakes, IL; Memphis, TN; and Bremerton, WA. For his exemplary service, Joe received the American Area Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of the American Legion VFW.

In 1950, Joe received his Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and Bachelor of Education from Washington State College and was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary fraternity whose ideals are research, service, and leadership. Joe was a proud Cougar alumnus who rarely missed televised WSU football, basketball, or baseball games. Go Cougs!

While attending WSU, Joe met the love of his life, Mary Frances Munns. They married on June 7, 1952, and began a long, loving, and successful marriage that only ended due to Joe's respiratory failure.

Post-college graduation, Joe taught at Endicott High School, Sunnyside High School, and Aberdeen High School. He changed careers when he joined the General Adjustment Bureau, Inc. as an insurance adjuster. He was with GAB for 27 years and an independent insurance adjuster for 10 years. He was recognized as a knowledgeable, respected, and ethical business leader. He was a long-standing member of the Walla Walla Elks Club.

Sports were a big part of Joe's life. He officiated basketball at the high school and college levels for 32 years. He was a Little League umpire. Golf was a passion of his which he regularly exercised as a member at the Veterans Memorial Golf Course.

Joe and Mary were the proud parents of four children (all of whom graduated from the University of Washington in spite of their parents' alma mater): Mary Jane Glaser (Hugh); Rebecca Bolin (Gene); Joe Towner (Sue) and Tim Towner (Greg). His sister-in-law Eulah Munns Davis also survives him. There are seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was known as "Brother" to his parents and sisters Betty, Patsy and younger sister, Charla Jo who survives him.

There will be a Celebration of Life honoring Joe on April 6, 2024, from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Walla Walla Country Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in Joe's name through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.