Roy Gilbert Turner

Roy Gilbert Turner Jr. passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 5, 2016. Roy was born in Vincennes, Indiana on July 5, 1938, to Roy Sr.(deceased) and Lela Mitchell (deceased) Turner. Roy’s father died when he was very young and he was primarily raised by his mother and aunt, Gladys Mitchell. After his father’s death, the family moved to Donna, Texas. Roy graduated from Donna High School in 1956 and went on to study accounting at North Texas State University where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. On September 17, 1960, Roy went on a blind date with Lana Zaccarello (deceased). It was not long before they were dropped, pinned, engaged and then married in 1963.

After graduating with an accounting degree in 1962, Roy worked for Kernaghan & Harvey for a brief time and then Ernst & Whinney. In 1975 Roy made the leap from public accounting to private industry and went to work for Gifford Hill. Starting as Vice President and Controller, Roy worked his way up the corporate ladder, eventually retiring in 1992 as President and CEO of Beazer West. Roy then exchanged his suit for a set of golf clubs, playing 2-3 times a week into his early 70’s. Roy also enjoyed playing poker, the higher the stakes the better, as well as dove hunting.

Preceded in death by his wife, Lana, of almost 53 years, Roy is survived by his children Andrea and husband Doug Darby; Roy III and wife Laura Turner; grandchildren: Bill Darby, Katie Darby, Sam Darby, Roy IV and wife Rachel Turner, John Turner, Joseph Turner and Emma Turner; mother-in-law, Ruth Zaccarello; sister-in-law, Alice Zaccarello; brother-in-law, Frank Jr. and wife Cathy Zaccarello; nieces and nephews: Alicia and husband Jeff Schraeder, Dante and wife Melissa Zaccarello, Alexis Zaccarello and husband Matthew Walker; great nieces and nephew: Arabella Schraeder, Gabriella and Giuliana Zaccarello and Jae Schraeder.

A celebration of Roy’s life will be at 2:00pm, Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Sparkman Hillcrest Chapel with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you make a donation to the American Lung Association.