Joe Turner

1953 - 2024

Joe Douglas Turner, 71 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Farwell Convalescent Center in Farwell, Texas following an illness. He was born February 13, 1953, in Seminole, Texas to the home of Joe Junior and Alice Lou (McMillan) Turner. The Turner family moved to Fort Sumner when Joe was in the 5th grade. He graduated with the FSHS class of 1971. He played football, basketball, and ran track. He was awarded the 1971 Fox Award, which was only given to one student athlete that maintained both excellence in the classroom and in athletics.
Following high school, Joe attended ENMU and gained his Master's Degree. Joe accepted his first teaching and coaching position at Moriarty High School, where he would stay for 34 years. Joe was honored as the first recipient of the Moriarty Pinto Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. Joe worked as a teacher and coach in the Moriarty-Edgewood School District from 1976-2009. Coach Turner taught math, social studies, physical education, and assisted on many We the People State Championship teams in his 34 years teaching at Moriarty Middle School and Moriarty High School. Throughout his tenure, he served as an assistant coach in multiple sports including football, basketball and track at Moriarty Middle School and football, girls' basketball, track, and golf at Moriarty High School. He also served as head track coach from 1984-1990. Not only did he coach and teach but he also served as a volunteer athletic trainer for the athletes at Moriarty High School. Coach Turner played a huge role in the athletic success of the Moriarty Pintos through the years as he was on the coaching staff of 7 team State Championship titles, 8 Runner-up titles, 13 State 3rd place finishes, and 29 District Championship titles. As a track coach Joe was directly responsible for coaching 10 individual State Champions. In 2000, he was awarded the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Spring Sports Assistant Coach of the Year. Twice he coached on the NMHSCA All-Star Team, first in 1983 coaching the All-Star Football game and in 1995 as the All-Star Girls Basketball coach. Joe Turner was an integral staff member and coach at Moriarty High School that contributed to the success of thousands of student athletes in his tenure. He would never look to bring any attention to himself, but his contributions did not go unnoticed at MHS or throughout the state.
He was passionate about his students, and took the Civics Club to Washington, D.C. every year. Joe moved back to Fort Sumner in 2009 and was a substitute teacher and coach for Fort Sumner High School.
Joe was member of the National Education Association, and of the Church on the Hill of Fort Sumner.
Joe loved to walk his dogs for several miles while listening to audio books. He enjoyed the challenge of Sudoku puzzles. Joe enjoyed travelling, especially if the travel involved sports. He took scouting trips for Moriarty Pintos Football, and traveled to watch two of his favorite teams play, the Dallas Cowboys, and the New York Yankees.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, and one brother-in-law Rickey Cones in 2001.
Survivors include his brother Roy (Linda) Turner, sister Denise Cones, niece Dawna (Luke) Cortese, and nephew Jerry (Erin) Cones all of Fort Sumner.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 1 - 6 pm at Chavez Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Church on the Hill with Pastor Richard Terrell and Mr. Tom Irwin officiating. Interment to follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Jerry Cones, Luke Cortese, Jordan Cortese, Joe Cortese, Emma Cones, Carly Cones, and Mary Ann Cortese. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Wootton, Joe Bailey, Bob McIntyre, Kenneth Bell, Gary Tripp, Rafael Roybal, Dave Latham, Rob Adams, and Tim Flores.

Memorial Contributions in honor of Joe Turner can be made to:
Moriarty High School Athletics, 200 Center Street, Moriarty, NM 87035 or Fort Sumner High School Athletics ATTN: Matt Moyer, 1001 E Sumner Ave, Fort Sumner, NM 88119
Service arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.