John Dean Townsley, a 64-year-old organ donor, passed away on August 1, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

John, born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, attended Skyline High School. He wanted to enter the Air Force and needed his GED. He went to Ricks College, took the test in one day, and passed. He was unsuccessful for the Air Force due to health reasons. He ended up with a GED and a diploma and enrolled in ISU to pursue an engineering technology degree. He also took classes from E.I.T.C for computers and software.

John was married to Sonja Satterfield from 1983 to 1986. They had two children together: Jasmin and Joshua Townsley.

After their divorce, John remarried Candie Hillam from 1986 to 1996. They also had two children together: Tanner and A.J. Townsley.

John met his sweetheart, Donna Lewis, later in life. They enjoyed fishing, watching movies, and spending time together whenever they could.

John was a one-of-a-kind person whose larger-than-life personality left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He had a great sense of humor, a mischievous spirit, and a talent for turning ordinary moments into lasting memories. An avid prankster, John loved making people laugh and rarely passed up an opportunity for a good prank.

John had many passions throughout his life. He loved electric scooters, fishing, RC cars, foosball, and collecting things that caught his interest. He won many competitions and championships with RC racing and foosball tournaments. He also had a knack for taking things apart and bringing them back to life. He especially enjoyed rebuilding small engines and scooters, putting his time, patience, and mechanical ability into making them run again. There was something special about John when he was working with his hands, figuring out how something worked and finding a way to make it better.

And then there was foosball. To John, it wasn't simply a game—it was part of his identity. He would proudly say, “Johnny Foos is not what I do, it’s who I am.” Those words captured John perfectly: passionate, playful, competitive, and completely himself.

John worked for several years as a sales manager, where his personality and ability to connect with people served him well. Whether he was working, rebuilding an engine, riding or repairing a scooter, fishing, collecting something new, sitting around with family and friends, or battling it out at the foosball table, John brought his own unique energy to everything he did.

Above all, John was a father. He is survived by his children: Jasmin Chadwick, Josh Townsley, Tanner Townsley, and Andrew “A.J.” Townsley. His children will carry with them the memories of their father, his humor, his stories, his passions, and the unmistakable personality that made him who he was.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his best friend and beloved brother, Robert, who passed away in 2025.

He is also survived by his brothers, Daniel Scott Rivera and Cody Townsley, and his sister, Vicki Callantine, along with two nieces and one nephew; grandchildren: Trynity, Tayson, Aspen, Jocelynn, Tyson Townsley, Gage, Lilith, Layla, and Luis; and many extended family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched throughout his journey.

John will be remembered for his laughter, his quick wit, his love of a good prank, his passion for foosball, fishing, and scooters, his collector's spirit, and his ability to bring old engines and machines back to life. Most of all, he will be remembered for being unapologetically John—someone who lived life in his own way and left behind stories that will continue to be told. His family and friends will miss his laughter, his antics, his stubborn determination, and the countless memories he created along the way. Though he is no longer here to pull another prank, challenge someone to a game of foosball, or fire up a rebuilt engine, the mark he left on the people who loved him will remain.

Rest in peace, John. Keep the foosball table spinning, the scooters rolling, the engines running, and the fishing line in the water.

“Johnny Foos is not what I do, it’s who I am.”

And that's exactly who you were.

A celebration of life will be on October 3, 2026, for family and friends. More details to follow on the family post.

John was an organ donor and wanted his body donated to science.