Derek Tobin Townley

With heavy hearts, we share the unexpected passing of Derek Tobin Townley on August 1, 2026, at the
age of 51. Derek was born on October 1, 1974, and to know him was to know there was nothing
ordinary about him.
He was, in every sense of the word, a Renaissance man. Derek was endlessly curious and always learning
something new, picking up another hobby, starting another project, exploring another idea, or finding
something else he wanted to understand. He loved learning, but just as much, he loved sharing what he
knew with others.
Derek spent much of his professional life as a high school teacher, where his intelligence, humor,
patience, and enthusiasm made an impression on so many students. Earlier in his life, he was also a
ballroom dance instructor in New York City — just one more example of the wonderfully unexpected
and varied life he lived.
He was an artist, musician, and writer. He played guitar and many other instruments. He loved cooking
almost as much as eating, could happily spend hours on a golf course or around a poker table, and loved
board games, chess, music, art, and books. He was a voracious reader and a lifelong learner. Derek
never really did anything halfway. If something interested him, he dove in completely.
He was incredibly funny, wonderfully intelligent, and unapologetically himself. He could tell a great
story, make an entire room laugh, teach you something you never knew you wanted to know, and
somehow turn an ordinary evening into one you would always remember.
More than anything, Derek loved people. He made friends everywhere he went and held onto
friendships from every chapter of his life. His circle stretched across the country, and he had a
remarkable ability to bring people together. To be Derek’s friend was to know how deeply he valued
connection, conversation, laughter, and shared experiences.
Derek is survived by his loving wife, Laura; his mother, Carol Munoz, and her friend, Hernan Castellanos;
his father, Doug Townley; his uncles, Donnie Speaks, Paul (JoAnn) Munoz, Joe (JoEllen) Munoz, and
Matthew Townley; his cousins, Shannon, Hillary, Megan, Chrissie, Jeff, Marie, Paul Anthony, Janelle,
Justin, Lisa and Marcello, along with their families; an enormous circle of friends; and two Great Danes
who adored him.
There is no easy way to describe the void Derek leaves behind. Life simply will not be the same without
his humor, his music, his creativity, his stories, his cooking, his curiosity, and his presence.
Derek lived life with passion. He learned, taught, created, played, laughed, loved, and collected
experiences and people along the way. He leaves behind countless memories, stories that will be told
again and again, and a tremendous amount of love.
He was deeply loved. He will be deeply missed. And he will never be forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 15th , at the Elks Lodge at 426 N Santa Fe
Ave. in Pueblo.
In lieu of flowers, check in on someone that you love today. Donations can be made to:
Suicide Prevention Coalition of Pueblo County.