Charles Warren Turner

Charles Warren Turner passed away on Sunday August 21 at 89. He was born June 26, 1933 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Charles Warren Turner Senior and Hallie Rae Mayer. Charlie grew up in Poplar Bluff, Missouri where he was the smallest player on the football team, with the biggest personality. His nickname was "Bulldog," for his tenacity and unstoppable work ethic. You just have to read his high school yearbook to know how well he was liked.

Charlie attended Penn State, pledging Beta Theta Pi and participating in ROTC. He grew a foot in his first year, his height finally matching his stature. He received a BS in business which he put to good use later in life. After graduation, he worked as a lineman on the railroad while waiting to join the Navy. After that job, he said, basic training was a breeze. He went on to become a fighter pilot, flying Douglas A-1 Skyraiders, the last propeller fighter plane in the Navy.

The Navy brought him to NAS Jax where he settled down and started a family. Charlie transitioned to the Reserves before retiring as a Lieutenant Commander after 20 years of service. The flying days were special for Charlie and he loved telling tales of rum running and competitions with jet pilots in the years after.

In his civilian life, Charlie owned and ran Wilkerson and Company, an office furniture, interior design, and space planning business with locations in Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando. Wilkerson was one of the top Herman Miller retailers in the state until he sold the company and retired in 2000.

Outside of the office, he was on the boards of the American Cancer Society, the YMCA and the downtown Rotary club and remained active in them for many years. He played a mean game of tennis before his knees decided they were finished with the sport. That's when he became an avid boater and loved spending time on the water on Turn’r Loose. He was also just as content to sit on his dock or porch watching the sun set and planes do touch-and-go's.

Anyone who knew Charlie was a friend. The man never met a stranger and was quick to smile and ask about your day. He was a loyal friend and a loving family man who gave excellent advice and was a rock to people who loved him.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Connie, brother George Mayer, his son, Charles (Chuck) Warren Turner Jr., his daughters Anne Buchanon, Elizabeth (Liz) Moyer and Emily Turner Bowen, grandchildren Alex and Meghan Tilger, Madeiline Strickland, Elizabeth Turner, Charles and Marshal Raison, Turner Bowen, and great grandchildren Elroy, Rex and Randall Tilger.

Memorial services will be held Friday August 26, at 10:30am, at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, The Legacy Lodge with a reception and celebration of life to follow at San Jose Country Club. Please consider sending a donation to the Alzheimer Foundation in lieu of flowers.