Fredrick Benjamin Turner's Obituary
Fredrick Benjamin Cecil Turner of Tyler, Texas went to be with his Heavenly Father on August 15, 2022. A memorial service will be held at Memory Park, 2823 E Marshall Ave. (Hwy. 80 East) in Longview, Texas on Friday, August 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Fred was led to serve God through the gift of Grace from his Lord and Savior. Fred touched many lives especially over the last several years through his “salvation by cancer testimony” which he shared with numerous people as he went through his journey with lymphoma. He befriended other cancer warriors in Oncology and reached out to anyone in need. If someone was having a bad day, he would make it better with a smile and lend an ear to listen and include them in his prayers.
After retirement he could be found tinkering in his workshop where he always found a new and improved way to fix or re-engineer a project. There were no tasks too big or small that he would not dive into and he could fix most anything. Of course he was always wearing his trademark blue overalls and beloved Tennessee Titan (formerly Houston Oilers) hat. Neighbors could always find him riding his lawnmower and keeping up the property. He enjoyed traveling and making memories with friends, but excited to get back home to his beloved dogs and start a new project on the log home he started building in the early 1990’s.
He loved life and participating in projects at both Bar None and Crossbrand Cowboy Churches where he served on the facilities work team including arena construction, the children’s building, church remodeling and maintenance. He enjoyed watching the much anticipated lodge and cabin project become reality this year. He felt a calling to mentor with the men’s group at Crossbrand and pursue Bible studies with friends in his neighborhood.
Fred was born to Clinton Oliver Turner and Martha Bessie (McCann) on November 25, 1944 in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Galena Park High School and attended Abilene Christian College. He pursued careers in field engineering, drafting, estimating and construction. He became self-employed in coal mining services and heavy equipment construction. Before retirement he was the owner of an independent sales company servicing power plants and other industries with industrial maintenance supplies in the East Texas Area.
He is survived by his first wife and mother of their children, Glenda Kinney of Houston. They were blessed with one son, Wade E. Turner and one daughter, Tracy L Dziekonski, her husband, Scott of Conroe and two grandchildren, Michael Sabrsula and Matthew Sabrsula.
Those cherishing Fred’s memories are his wife of thirty-one years, Shelley (Bennett), step-son David Knight, his wife Evonne and granddaughter Olivia of Longview. Two surviving sisters, Peggy Toner of Oklahoma and Julia Maddox of Alabama.
Preceding him in death are his parents and sisters, Janice May and Carolyn Bigon and younger brother Clinton O. Turner, a veteran from Oklahoma.
Fred was always an avid reader. During his younger years he wrote a book of poetry titled Sand Devils.
“Have you seen the tiny sand devils
In the heat of summer’s day,
As they danced along a winding lane
Like naughty kids at play?
Have you felt a sad dejection
Cause their passing was too fast,
Twirling high, then fading
Like ghosts from ages past?”
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude and love to the staff of Texas Oncology and Hospice of East Texas for all the kindness and care given to him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 and/or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701
What’s your fondest memory of Fredrick?
What’s a lesson you learned from Fredrick?
Share a story where Fredrick's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Fredrick you’ll never forget.
How did Fredrick make you smile?