Charles R. Turner

Charles Rupert Turner, of Houston, passed away on Monday, the 29th of August, 2011, at the age of 77, after a long battle with leukemia. Rupert was born on the 9th of August, 1934, near Swainsboro, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1956 with a degree in chemical engineering, and began a long career with Shell Oil Company at the Norco chemical plant in Louisiana. After various roles in New Orleans, he transferred to Houston in 1981 and retired from Shell as manager of government relations in 1994.

Rupert was preceded in death by his parents, John Milton and Rachel Dudley Turner and his brother, Raymond Edmund Turner. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Anne Jester Turner; son Jon Turner and wife Alicia of Prairieville, Louisiana; daughter Nancy Turner and son Charles Rupert Turner, Jr. and wife Rebecca, all of Houston. He also leaves four grandchildren, Christian, Kendall, Julia and Benjamin Turner.

Rupert was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His two priorities in life were his family and his faith. A lifelong student of the Bible, Rupert spent many years developing adult Christian education programs and was an elder and past clerk of Session at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. In his retirement, Rupert served in various leadership roles with the Presbytery of New Covenant and Synod of the Sun, including Presbytery moderator. In addition, he served many years on the Grievance Committee of the State Bar of Texas and as president of his homeowners' association. He also was an avid Civil War historian and enjoyed researching and writing about his family genealogy.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 2nd of September, in the Sanctuary of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, with senior pastor, Rev. Dr. David Peterson, officiating. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Narthex.