Bernard L. Turner

Bernard Turner died June 28, 2024 with his family by his side in McMinnville, Oregon. Bernie was born in Clay Center, Kansas on December 29, 1930. He was the son of Mable and Azel Turner and was raised on a dairy farm. He attended a one room schoolhouse. He graduated high school at the age of 16 and went on to Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. There he majored in English and met the love of his life, Rosalind (Griffeth) Turner. They were married in their senior year of college on January 27th, 1952. Rosalind preceded him in death in December 2022. After college the Turner's moved to Berkley California where he attended seminary at Berkley Baptist Divinity School. After seminary he became a pastor at Gregory Heights Baptist Church in Burien, Washington and later moved on to Good Shepard Baptist in Lynnwood, Washington.
In 1970 the Turner family moved to McMinnville, Oregon where he was Senior Pastor for 22 years at First Baptist Church, McMinnville, Oregon. Moving to Oregon Bernie found time to go back to his roots and was part owner of a farm, raising goats and rabbits. He lived out Christ's mission caring for the poor, the oppressed, the homeless, the lonely, and those searching for belonging in their lives. One of his missions in the 1980's, became the welcoming and affirming of all people into the God's embrace, including the homosexual community.
After his retirement in 1992, Bernie and Roz enjoyed a traveling throughout the US and Europe with their many close friends. In retirement, Bernie found new ways of giving back to his community, and founded the Yamhill County Habitat for Humanity. He built homes, organized and raised funds to house those with inadequate housing in our community. He also was on the Linfield Board of Trustees for many years. Throughout his life he and Rosalind became involved in many social causes supporting Peace organizations, the building of schools, funding the library, supporting education and giving back to the less fortunate.
Bernie was known by his children, Stanton Turner (Nancy), Diane (Turner) Rice and Linda (Turner) Baker, (Bill), as a loving dad with a great sense of humor, devoted to being involved in their lives and then in the lives of his grandchildren, Stacey and Justin Rice, Nathan and Emilee (Wick) Baker and Andrew and Kristopher Turner. In addition to his 6 grandchildren, he leaves behind his 7 Great Grandchildren, Avery Rice, Tatum and McKenzie Baker, Parker, Eliza and Rowan Wick and Grayson and Noelle Turner.
Services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 10th at the First Baptist Church in McMinnville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Yamhill County Habitat for Humanity.