John was born January 28, 1931, in Fremont, Nebraska to Louis Allen Turner and Bertha Beatrice Grabel Turner. Soon after graduating from Fremont High School in 1949, John joined the United States Air Force. He served in the Precision Measurement Equipment Lab [P.M.E.L.] for 20 years, retiring as Technical Sergeant. After serving his country, John worked with the United States Postal Service retiring after 20 years.
John Turner married Lottie Elizabeth King in 1956. They had 2 children, Cynthia Lee Turner and Russell "Rusty" Turner. John and Elizabeth were married 48 years at her passing.
In 2004, John married Jonnie Leah Richards. He included his two stepchildren, Charles Richards and Katheleen Richards, as his own. John and Jonnie were married 20 years at his passing.
John was deeply involved in church; having been ordained as a deacon in 1972. He was a Mason with Onion Creek Lodge #220 and Mina Lodge #1456 serving in numerous roles including Worshipful Master. He was recently honored by the Masons with a 50-year service pin. He was a Shriner having served as a member of the Chanters in the Ben Hur Shrine. Both he and Jonnie actively served together in the Texas Order of the Eastern Star; Austin Chapter 304. John served numerous times as Worthy Patron and Chaplain. In his spare time, John enjoyed working in his greenhouse, gardening, woodworking, and fixing just about anything.
He is preceded in death by his brother Donald Turner, his parents Louis and Beatrice Turner, his son Russell at childbirth, his wife Elizabeth Turner, and his sister Patricia Turner Green.
John Turner is survived by his wife, Jonnie Turner of Bastrop, Texas; his daughter, Cynthia Turner Martinez [husband Jose Martinez] of Bastrop, Texas; stepson, Charles Richards [wife Sheila Richards] of Roanoke, Texas; stepdaughter, Katheleen Richards of Bastrop, Texas; two grandchildren, Jason Martin [wife Jillian Blackwell Martin] of Austin, Texas and John Tyler Martinez of Bastrop, Texas; and two great grandchildren, Jackson Alexander Martin and Jordan Elizabeth Martin of Austin, Texas.
He was known by his family and friends as "Pinky", "John", "Dad", and "Paw Paw". John will forever be remembered as faithful, loving, generous, humorous, dedicated, and loyal.
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