Jerry Turner

Jerry D. Turner lived eighty good years, ending on July 23, 2022. He was born in Ohio on February 14, 1942, to William Raymond Turner and Nellie Naomi Lanning, who preceded him in death. The family included two older brothers, James R. Turner and Larry R. Turner, and a younger sister, Jeanne Turner Earley. Jim, the eldest, died in 2009. The remaining siblings have remained close to one another.
The Turner family moved to Grove City, Pennsylvania, when Jerry was only three and the family home was there for many years. After Jerry began his university years in Pittsburgh, he met his future wife Gay Gardner on a blind date which led to their marriage on July 23, 1962, and the beginning of a wonderful family. Jerry's academic life continued in Pennsylvania for several years as he earned his MA at the University of Pittsburgh and taught English both there and at Behrend College in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Life in Texas began in 1968, as Jerry went to the University of Texas in Austin to receive his PhD. He continued teaching college English classes, mostly in literature, while there and later at Navarro College. The family, with sons David and Christopher, moved to Corsicana in 1974. It was several years later, while Jerry was teaching at Navarro College, that their daughter Jennifer was born.
Jerry often referred to the years of his birth and his rebirth, as he experienced a major shift in his life through a remarkable experience with God in Austin. That salvation experience changed his outlook on life and began his love for the Bible and for his savior Jesus Christ. From that point on, his main goal in life was to serve and please God. This is how most people who have known Jerry in these last fifty years will remember him. He had such love for God, for family and for friends!
In 1984, after training at Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Jerry was ordained as a minister of the gospel. He and Gay returned to Corsicana and continued the ministry at The Ark bookstore begun by John and Violet Dickson, who established the store's presence downtown. Jerry loved the opportunity to meet so many brothers and sisters in Christ and to help people select Bibles and Bible helps.
In addition to church ministry and The Ark, Jerry became involved with Christian education at Corsicana Christian Academy, serving on the board for several years. He also served several years on the board of the Hope Center, formerly Pro Life of Navarro County, another ministry that was extremely important to him. Jerry taught Bible classes for decades. People will remember him for these and many other reasons.
In addition to his two remaining siblings, Jerry is survived by his wife Gay. He was a loving father to son David and his wife Susan Turner; son Christopher and his wife Marsha Turner; and daughter Jennifer Turner and her partner Dan Luddy. Beloved grandchildren include Chris's children, Katie Turner and Michael Turner (wife Rose); Jennifer's children Bobby and Charlie Luddy; and several past and present step-grandchildren.
The family would like to express much gratitude for caregiving help toward the end of Jerry's life. We do appreciate the compassionate, excellent care provided by Home Helpers (Shepherd's Touch), The Village at Heritage Oaks, and New Century Hospice.
The funeral service for Jerry will be held at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home at 11:00 on Saturday, July 30th, officiated by his pastor Byron Ayers, Max Rash assisting. Visitation will be there from 6:00 to 8:00 on Friday evening, July 29th.