Daniel Leo Turnbow

Daniel Leo Turnbow departed this life on February 16, 2016 He was 89. Leo was born on July 1, 1926 in Shamrock, TX to Walter & Willie Turnbow. Eventually his family moved to Devine, TX. Leo was preceded in death by his wife, LaVena, and daughter, Ruthie May. He is survived by daughter, Jeanne Knox , her husband Jim; three grandchildren, Jim Knox III and wife Katherine; Danny Knox and wife Emily, Kevin Knox; and three great grandchildren, Livyah, Isaiah, and Audrey, all of Little Rock. Service to his country and his family marked most of Leo’s life. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 during World War II. He was stationed in Korea for two years where he captained a boat delivering supplies to the mainland. Upon his return stateside, he turned his focus to electrical and telecom engineering, which necessitated much travel around the Western US. In 1949 while working in Woodward, OK he met a young lady named LaVena Gilbert. They were married quickly and LaVena partnered with him as he continued on his mission of rural electrification. In 1951, Jeanne was born, and 11 years later in 1962, Ruthie was born. The family found their way to Little Rock in 1962 where Leo became the Chief Engineer of Allied Telephone Company, the predecessor to Alltel Communications. In later years, he founded Turnbow Engineering, CSSA, and helped found Network Design Engineering. A licensed professional engineer in seven states, his contributions to the growth of telecommunication and rural electrification in the Midwest were a source of great personal pride. Leo was an avid outdoorsman and firearms enthusiast, being among the first “Concealed Carry Instructors” in the State of Arkansas. His passion for protection of the innocent, for justice, and for chivalry has shaped the legacy that he has passed down to his grandsons. Leo will be dearly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 18, at 1:00 PM at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Bethany Christian Services.