George Turnbull

1927 - 2016

GEORGE TURNBULL 1927 - 2016 George Turnbull died at his home in Capay on Thursday, July 21, 2016 after a long illness. He entered into rest peacefully, surrounded by his beloved family. The youngest of six sons, George was born in Blackhill, England on May 11, 1927 to Henry and Gwendoline Turnbull. In 1929, the family emigrated to America and settled in western Pennsylvania. A naturalized American citizen, George served his country, first in the United States Maritime Service during World War II and then in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. He was very proud of his adopted country and his service during her time of need. He loved to travel and as a young man in the late 1940's he left the northeast and set out to see the west on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He worked a variety of jobs including ranch hand, mining assayer, wildland firefighter, sales clerk and gas station attendant as he traveled the country. He settled for a time in Hollister, California and enjoyed life in the rural California of long ago with his oldest brother Fen. After serving in the Navy he returned to Pennsylvania to pursue a degree in Fine Art on the G.I. Bill. He graduated with High Honors from Carnegie Mellon University, later receiving a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California. He met Raphael (Rae) Marie Prudente in 1956 while attending Carnegie Mellon. They were married on October 4, 1959 and the union bore two children, Ian and Gwynn. In 1964 he moved his young family to California to start a new life in the west that he loved so much as a young man. He became an award winning graphic designer and international award winning calligrapher. Granted the title of Professor Emeritus, he retired in 1989 from a long and distinguished career as Professor of Visual Communications in the California State University system. He then returned to his passion for fine art painting, first focusing on rural "Old Northern California" farm and ranch life. He then turned his artistic attention to the working cowboy and scenes of the Great Basin of the western United States. In 2005 he and his wife Rae were instrumental in forming the Orland Arts Commission and the Orland Art Center Gallery. He designed many of the public art projects that enhance our community. George is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Rae Turnbull; son Ian Turnbull (Paddy); daughter Gwynn Turnbull - Weaver (Dave); grandsons Jacob Anthony Turnbull and Daniel Henry Turnbull. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Wood Turnbull, Sr. and Gwendoline Jane Turnbull; brothers Robert Fenwick Turnbull, Ernest William Turnbull, Henry Wood Turnbull, Jr., Thomas Scott Turnbull and John (Jack) Turnbull. An outdoor memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at the Turnbull residence in Capay, located at 680 Fifth Avenue, Orland, California 95963. In lieu of flowers, George's memory may be honored by making a donation in his name to the Orland Arts Center.