Chris Towne

***Chris' slideshow and service is available below.***

Chris Towne, 58, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.

Christopher Dale was born on December 16, 1966, in Red Oak, Iowa, the son of Curtis Dale and Ruby Lou (McCall) Towne. As a kid he looked forward to the countless camping trips they went on and it was never if, it was how long would it be before Chris knew everyone in the campground; let’s just say he wasn’t bashful one bit! His work ethic started at an early age, tagging along with his dad at the rock quarry. He attended Griswold Community Schools K- 12th grade and was active in music, playing the trumpet and piano and was a member of the first ever Southwest Iowa Marching Band that played at the Cotton Bowl. Chris graduated in the Griswold Class of 1985. 

Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Minot, North Dakota. Chris was an F15 Crew Chief which meant he was responsible for inspecting, servicing, and repairing the fighter jets. He was honorably discharged in April of 1987, and returned home to Griswold. At which time he started working for Schildberg Construction in Crescent and later as a diesel mechanic in Avoca.

Many nights were spent cruising in Atlantic and a couple of those nights he got reacquainted with someone he had met while in the service at a friend’s wedding, Shelly Holtorf. The first meeting, I guess if you would call it that, was when Shelly told him she was kindly borrowing his Camero and off she went and the second meeting was much the same with his Chevy Z-71. Chris and Shelly were married on April 14, 1990, in Atlantic. When Shelly asked Chris recently what he was most proud of he said, “When Corey was born and being a Papa.” He started volunteering as a Boy Scout Leader when Corey was in scouts and continued giving his time for many years which included organizing a memorable trip for the troop to a Flag Retirement Ceremony at Mount Rushmore. His family was his everything and his granddaughters brought him immeasurable joy. He was always up for what they wanted to do whether it be slip-n-sliding or shopping (Papa was a sucker and couldn’t say no), they did it! You couldn’t go to bed at Papa’s without having his peanut butter chocolate chip or butterscotch malt. Time away was spent camping with friends and family; Viking Lake, Lake View and Okoboji being their favorites. 

After their marriage Chris started working for Tony’s and Red Baron Pizza as a delivery driver and was promoted to Warehouse Manager in Des Moines. It didn’t take long for the couple to decide that the city was not for them and they returned to Atlantic in 1994. This is when he started his 30-year career working for what is now Mediacom, formerly TCI and AT&T, working through the ranks and was currently a Technical Operations Supervisor in the Red Oak office. 

Chris was a member of the Atlantic Fire Department for over 25 years, starting in 1998. In addition to his Fire Fighter Certifications, he was also an EMT. The journey this led him on and the friendships he gained were something he truly treasured; he was passionate about his duty to help. During his time on the department, he was instrumental in getting the 1962 LaFrance to the Iowa Fire Convention for many years, served in numerous roles and was on various committees; he was most recently the department Safety Officer which fit him perfectly as he liked to call the shots. Chris rarely missed a training, soaking in anything there was to learn and was able to pass this on to the new guys. The brotherhood that is shared between the guys was more evident than ever in recent months of accommodating Chris’ needs at meetings and the annual pancake breakfast, and for this he was grateful!

He had various hobbies including taking photos, building and tinkering with wood like his grandpa did, and listening to all genres of music, country being his favorite. Chris was an amazing cook and always said, “If you can bake it in the oven, you can make it on the grill.” He enjoyed coon and deer hunting, and went Hog Hunting in Oklahoma with Corey. It wasn’t just a day of hunting it was a weekend event with deer camp on Friday, hunting on Saturday and processing on Sunday; he did this with the same group of guys for many years. When he wasn’t out hunting, he would watch hunting shows he had on the DVR. Chris was big on gun safety, but who would have put a hole in the crown molding at the house, hmmm? He may not have caught the most fish (because he was either retrieving a stranded bobber or taking Shelly’s fish off the line) but he did enjoy it whether it be from the bank or in the boat. 

Chris left a legacy of being dedicated to everything he did and seeing it through, the willingness to help and care for others, to love fiercely, to be patient (which made him a good teacher), and to not be judgmental. He was genuinely good!

His laugh, fun loving personality, and I LOVE YOU’s will be deeply missed by his wife, Shelly Towne of Atlantic; son, Corey (Rebecca) Towne of Audubon and their daughter’s aka “His Girls,” Charlotte, Casee, Cadence and Clover Towne; parents, Curtis and Ruby Towne of Griswold; sister, Suzanne Bradley of Milford; parents-in-law, Paula and Tony Martens of Lewis; sister-in-law, Jennifer (Jeremy Friedrichsen) Porter of Audubon; nephews, Zach Holtorf of Exira and Jacob Porter of Audubon; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and brothers of the Atlantic and surrounding Fire Departments.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Florence and Dale Towne and Louis and Madelene McCall; father-in-law, Edward Holtorf; nephew, Aiden Porter; and grandparents-in-law, Frankie Nichelson and Paul and Bev Holz.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 15th at Roland Funeral Home. At 1:30 p.m. Chris’ service in the United States Air Force and as a member of the Atlantic Fire Department will be honored at Roland’s. The honors will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by end of day Sunday.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to causes that were dear to Chris.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Chris' family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.