Uncle John Turner

He graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School in 1962 and began playing professionally when he was 13 years old. Unc started playing the guitar but then switched to the bass before picking up the drums. In 1962 he convinced his school principal to allow him and his band to perform at the prom. There is a wonderful photograph of him playing the bass at the prom as well as in-depth information about his career on his website (www.unclejohnturner.com). He was a principal player in the history of blues-rock music and drumming.

Unc lived through many of the important moments of the 1960s and 1970s, including playing at Woodstock with Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, and Tommy Shannon. Uncle John is survived by his wife and best friend, Morgan Goldbarth Turner, who loves him better than life itself; step-son, Fermin (Dane) de Goicoechea; mother Alleen Turner; sister Pat Barkley; nieces Marion Thornell and Robyn Shearin and nephew Steve Thornell.

He leaves behind his closest friends including Tommy Shannon, Billy and Sandra Standley (and their children and grandchildren), Mark Murray, Emmett Sheppard, and many, many more friends. Unc often quoted a message he had gotten in a fortune cookie that said, “he who knows he has enough is rich.” Unc felt rich in his friends, his home, and his family. In later years, he loved to discuss history, theology, philosophy and music with his friends Tommy, Mark, and a rotating cast of characters at “the office,” a local coffee shop.

In this last year, when Unc was so sick, he loved raising butterflies and orchids, playing with his cat Sammy, and hassling Mr. and Mrs. Herbert, the frog family that lives outside his front door. Unc and Morgan found joy in each other and their life together no matter how sick he was. He was a very brave and happy man.

His wife Morgan would like to thank the friends that helped Unc and her throughout this difficult summer, especially Billy and Sandra Standley, Kumi Smedley, Tommy Shannon, Beverly Howell, Erin Jaimes, Tom Oatley, Carolyn Wonderland, Susan Antone, Mark Murray, Mike Steele, Tony, Christina and Cal Redman, Luke and Sonya Cutchen, Jerry Clayworth, Matt Sessions, Leland Parks, Emma Little, James and Connie Nagle, Eve Monsees, Holly Couret, Natasha Smith, Jaylene Fayhee, and many others. Tracy Conover sang to him in his final hours. Finally, Morgan would like to thank Dr. Manuel (Joe) Martin and Jolene, Dr. Scott Becker and Kara, and the many doctors and nurses of Seton Main’s ICU Center. The ICU team took exceptional care of both Unc and Morgan as Unc’s final illness played its awful course. Unc and Morgan also thank the transplant team at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Uncle John was determined to help win the battle against Hepatitis C and liver disease and his wife Morgan vows to continue the fight to educate people about this terrible disease and the importance of organ donation.

Unc was very honored that his friend Johnny Winter is coming to San Antonio and Austin to perform for his benefits. He and Johnny had stayed in touch over the years and he always loved talking to Johnny to catch up on the old days and old friends. The benefit in Austin will be held at Antone’s on August 1st. It features Johnny and his band as well as Tommy Shannon and an all-star lineup of Unc’s friends and bandmates.

A memorial service for Uncle John Turner will be held at Threadgill’s World Headquarters, 301 West Riverside, on Sunday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through www.uncathon.com. After Unc’s final medical expenses are paid, the remaining funds will be used to further musical education for deserving young musicians and to help musicians who are battling Hepatitis C and liver disease.