Joe Ben Turner

Joe Ben Turner

Knoxville, TN

Joe Ben Turner, age 82, of Knoxville, TN, passed away December 15, 2018 at Westmoreland Health and Rehabilitation Center. Joe Ben was the son of the late Joe B. Turner and Edythe Hendrick Turner of Marlin, Texas and he was also preceded in death by brothers, Dr. Robert H. Turner of Portland, Oregon and Dan H. Turner of Austin, Texas.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Robin Carruth Turner; his son Joel Hendrick Turner and wife Ashley Klaus Turner; his grandchildren, William Hendrick Turner, Nathalie Townsend Turner, and Bennett Brooks Turner of Charlotte, North Carolina and niece Jennifer Turner Bitterman of Portland, Oregon.

Joe Ben was affectionately known as 'Bubba' by his family. He was fondly known to 'light up' a room with his presence and his Texas 'sayings'. Some would say he never knew a stranger and he always had a way of making others feel special. He was an avid fan of UT sports and his greatest passion was golf with his friends.

A native of Marlin, Texas, Joe Ben graduated from Marlin High School where he played basketball, golf, baseball, and track. He attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas for his freshman year of college and was a member of the varsity basketball team. He received his BBA Degree in Finance from Texas Tech University and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He received the CPCU (Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriters) designation in 1979 and completed the College of Insurance Advanced Course in Finance and Accounting at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1991.

After graduating from Texas Tech, Joe Ben began a 47 year career as an executive in the insurance industry. He began his career with Aetna Casualty and Surety in Dallas, Texas and served with Aetna for 10 years in New Orleans, LA; Jackson, Mississippi; Knoxville, TN; and Nashville, TN. He was Agency Manager of Aetna for the state of Tennessee before joining M.F. Flenniken & Company as a partner in 1968. He became President & CEO of Flenniken Insurance Services in 1979. The Flenniken firm merged with Corroon & Black of New York in 1981 and he remained President & CEO of the Knoxville office until 1990 when Corroon & Black merged with Willis Faber of London, England to form Willis Corroon. He was named Regional Director and CEO for the state of Tennessee in 1991. He retired from Willis in June of 2005 after 37 years of service.

Joe Ben was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for 42 years where he served as Elder, Clerk of the Session, and Trustee. Joe Ben was very active in civic and charitable organizations in serving his community. These organizations included: Chairman of the Board of The Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Knoxville Board, Covenant Health Board, Chairman of the Board of East Tennessee Heart Association, East Tennessee Historical Society Board and Executive Committee, Knoxville Museum of Art Board and Executive Committee, Knoxville Zoo Board, Greater Smoky Mountain Council, YWCA Board, Chancellor's Associate University of Tennessee, President's Associate of Maryville College, Allocations Board of the United Way, Tennessee Resources Valley Board, Overlook Foundation Board, Boy Scouts of America Board, Board and Executive Committee of Cherokee Country Club, Knoxville Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) Board, Bearden Lions Club Board, Fox Den Country Club Board, Tennessee Board for Economic Development, Tennessee Business Round Table Board, and St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Board.

Joe Ben was also heavily involved in insurance industry organizations. He served as President of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Tennessee (Insurors of Tennessee), President of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Knoxville (Insurors of Knoxville), and Member of CPCU Society. He served on National, Regional, and State Advisory Boards of various insurance companies including Aetna Casualty & Surety Company, CNA Insurance Company, Chubb Insurance Company, U.S. Insurance Group, Travelers Insurance Company, St. Paul Insurance Company, and Continental Insurance Company. He was honored twice as Executive of the Year by Insurance Women's Executive Association of Knoxville.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Cindy Proffitt for her compassion, friendship, and loving care for Joe Ben. The family would also like to express its appreciation to the staff of UT Hospice, Elmcroft Assisted Living, and Westmoreland Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Following a private family inurnment, a memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6500 Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN on Thursday, December 20th at 3:00PM with Reverend Dr. Buran Phillips officiating. The family will be receiving friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Joe Ben's name to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.