John Robert Turner

John Robert Turner was born October 21, 1930 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He was the son of John Halley and Sadie Jane Turner. John was raised and attended school in Pawnee, graduating from Pawnee High School in 1948. Upon completion of high school, John attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1952.

Shortly after graduating from college, John was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army on June 15, 1952 as a 2nd Lieutenant. After attending Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia, Lt. Turner was married to Jo Ann Lawrence in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant and assigned to duty in Korea where he was awarded the following decorations and citations, Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and the National Defense Medal. John was honorably discharged on March 24, 1954 and returned to Pawnee.

Upon his discharge the couple moved to Oklahoma City for a short time when John accepted employment with Armor Meat Company. John and Jo Ann later moved to Ponca City as John was employed by Continental Oil Company as an accountant. He continued to work for CONOCO in the accounting department until 1986 when he retired after twenty-two years of service.

Although he retired in 1986, John remained active in farming and in the oil business. The couple owned farms in Noble, Kay and Pawnee counties where they raised wheat, soybeans and other food products and also had interest in oil leases in the area. John developed a love for farming and gardening as a young man, working with his father on farms in Pawnee County and with his mother in the garden. This affection for the land continued into his retirement when the couple moved to Cleveland in 1986 as John always maintained a beautiful flower and vegetable garden in his yard.

In addition to his farming and oil endeavors, Johnís hobbies and interests included traveling. John and Jo Ann traveled all over the United States in a travel trailer and, motorhome as well as enjoying vacations in other parts of the world

John was a member of the American Legion ñHuff Minor Post 14 in Ponca City and the Moose Lodge in Ponca City. He was also a member of an honorary accounting fraternity, Alpha Beta Psi; an organization which several of his family member are also members. John mostly enjoyed spending time with his family and was extremely proud of all of them and their accomplishments.

John passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at his home in Cleveland at the age of seventy-five years, four months and seven days. He was preceded in death by both parents; an infant son; and a son, Joseph Brent Turner.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann of the home; two sons and their wives, John Robert, Jr and Myrna Turner of Norman, Oklahoma and Dwight Lawrence and LaDonna Turner of Cleveland, Oklahoma; a daughter and her husband, Lynnice and Joe Taylor of Fort Worth, Texas; seven grandchildren, Clint Turner, Lance Turner, Skyler Turner and Zane Turner, all of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Jo Lynn, Stephen and John Taylor, all of Forth Worth, Texas; a brother and his wife, Gerald and Ella Mae Turner of Pawnee, Oklahoma and a sister, Judy Turner of Pawnee, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland with Rev. Romney Nesbitt officiating. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Serving as casket bearers will be Lance Turner, Clint Turner, Stephen Taylor, John Taylor, Earl Littlefield and Dan Whitten. Military honors will be provided at the Highland Cemetery by the American Legion Mohawk Post 308 Honor Guard.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for John Turner at www.chapman-black.com.