Harold R. Turner's Obituary
Funeral services for Harold R. Turner, of Longview, will be celebrated at 10:00 A. M. at the First Presbyterian Church, Wednesday, October 13, 2004 with Reverend Jonathan Jerorek and Dr. Bill O?Neal officiating. Interment will be at 9:30 A. M. at Memory Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 5:00 P. M. ? 7:00 P. M., October 12th at Rader Funeral Home, Longview.
Mr. Turner went to be with the Lord Sunday, October 10, 2004 at a local hospital.
Harold was the third child of Era Warr and E. L. Turner in Center, Texas on February 16, 1918. He played football and graduated from Center High School in 1937. He came to Longview in 1938 and attended Kilgore Junior College Trade School becoming a machinist. After graduating he worked for Mr. Tom Cook, Sr. at King Tool at Greggton.
On November 14, 1941 he married Billie Sue Ayres. World War II was declared in December and he joined the Navy to serve the country that he loved so dearly. After completing basic training in San Diego, he was assigned to the U. S. S. Medusa, a repair ship, that followed all battles in the Pacific to service and repair combat ships. He served overseas 45 months, landing back in San Francisco the day the war ended.
Mr. Turner returned to Longview after discharge and worked for Standard Tool Machine Shop. He attended Bish Mathis Business School and after completion joined Tom W. Landers to form Landers & Turner Insurance Agency where the partnership lasted for 40 years. He worked with Hibbs Hallmark Insurance Agency for 5 years before retiring to play golf at Cherokee Country Golf Club and Pinecrest Country Club.
Golf and the building of 3 wooden boats were his hobbies as well as helping with Turner Antiques doing Antique shows and buying trips.
He began his love for serving people with South Ward School Little League Baseball teams and Foster Junior High Dad?s Club, Shrimp Dinners that continued for over 10 years. He served as Deacon and Elder at the First Presbyterian Church and made trips to Austin for the formation of the Elderville Water Company, where he served on the Board of Directors from its inception until March 2000. He served on the Board of the Elderville Fire Department from obtaining the funding to building all the fire stations serving the communities in that area.
Mr. Turner was a founding member of the Cherokee Kiwanis Club since WWII. After the club disbanded the remaining members, all good friends, continued meeting every Tuesday, at noon at Johnny Cace?s Seafood Restaurant calling themselves ?Romeos? Retired Old Men Eating Out. These special friends are Honorary Pall Bearers: Max Wilson, Dr. Tommy Thomas, Harold Deteau, Bill Shinneman and Phil Haspel.
He served on the Cherokee Lake Board and Pinecrest Country Club Board and volunteered at Good Shepherd Medical Center, 5th Floor M. I. C. U. where he spent the last 5 days of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, James W. Turner, and sister, Ruth Turner Buroughs.
Mr. Turner is survived by his wife, Billie Sue, only son, Harold Richard Turner, sister-in-law, Weegie Turner of Morgan City, Louisiana. Nephews and Nieces, James Turner, Craig Turner, Michael Turner and Carolyn Turner and their families, several cousins and his partner, Tom W. Landers, wife, Dorothy and family.
Memorials maybe made to Millie?s Ministry, 315 Eden, First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 301 N. Center and Good Shepherd Medical Center, 700 S. Marshall, all of Longview.
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