Just months after losing their mother, four young children in Oak Grove, Alabama, are now orphaned following the tragic death of their father in a workplace accident. Micheal Dewaine Townsend, a 39-year-old Navy veteran and father of four, died on June 16 while working at U.S. Steel’s Fairfield facility. He was struck while riding a railcar and died later that night from blunt force injuries.

His death comes less than a year after his wife, Jennifer Townsend, passed away in July 2024 due to health issues. Together, they had four children: Victoria, 11; Emileea, 9; and 6-year-old twins, Tre and Serenity. The family was known for their closeness and devotion to one another.

Since Jennifer’s passing, her mother, Vicki Roberts, had been living with the family and will continue caring for the children. Micheal was remembered as a loving father, a man of faith, and a proud Navy veteran. Friends and family described him as kind, funny, and deeply devoted to his family.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $40,000 to support the children’s needs. As the community rallies around the Townsend kids, the focus now is on providing them with love, stability, and the support they need after losing both parents in less than a year.