Richard Ledingham Turner, 90, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2012. He was born September 3, 1921 in Dallas to Alexander and Madge Turner both of northern Scotland. He attended North Dallas High School. He went to college for one year before entering the Army. Stationed in Seoul, Korea he met an Army nurse, Mary Elizabeth Carroll, in December 1945. Their first date was on New Years Eve; they married on March 16, 1946. Dick and Betty had five children: Carol, Richard Jr., Barbara, Patricia and Margaret.
He received a degree in Civil Engineering from SMU in 1949. While at SMU, he went to work for a major paving company, Texas Bitulithic Co., at which, he was later named company president. A lifelong SMU fan he supported their sports programs especially Women’s Basketball, Go Lady Mustangs. During retirement, he continued to be active in CE professional organizations, being a Texas history buff and taking various college courses for fun.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Betty. They had 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was funny, loved by his family and greatly respected by anyone who met him. The pallbearers will be his grandsons. Visitation 6 – 9 pm Friday, graveside service 11:00 am Saturday at Hillcrest Memorial Park
