Kent F. Turner

Kent Farvis Turner passed away on March 21, 2026, at the age of 85, after a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer's. He was surrounded by family at his home in Branson, Missouri. His family is comforted knowing that he is healed and at home in the kingdom of God.

Kent was born on June 2, 1940, in Independence, Missouri. He was the only child of William Chester Turner and Irene Isabel (Maddux) Turner-Davidson.

At age seven, Kent began playing the trumpet and continued playing regularly until he was 80. He was first taught by his Uncle Phil, who owned the Turner Music Company on the Independence Square. His love of the trumpet, music and entertaining others was a passion for the rest of his life. He read music and could play by ear and especially enjoyed Dixieland music. As a child and teen, he played on the Turner Music Band Wagon in parades and events around the Independence area. He also played and sang lead vocals with the Jay Shearer Combo from the early 1960's until the 1990's. Later in life, he also enjoyed playing with the Blue Springs Missouri Community Band for many years, the Lakes Area Community Band at College of the Ozarks, the orchestra at Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri, the annual TAPS Project honoring veterans at Missouri State University and the Dixie Kings in Branson, Missouri.

Kent fondly recalled his idyllic childhood, learning from his parents and his beloved Granny and PaPa. He grew up on Farmer Street, just around the corner from Harry S. Truman and Bess. As a youngster, he would often walk to the barbershop with President Truman, both jokingly arguing about who would get in the chair first. Kent achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the former Boy Scouts of America and was a Tom-Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was extremely proud that through his guidance and urging, both of his sons and all three of his grandsons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, as well as his grandson-in-law. His love for the outdoors, nature, hunting and fishing was fostered throughout his youth and remained a passion throughout his life.

Kent graduated from William Chrisman High School, Independence, in 1958. He furthered his education at the University of Missouri – Columbia, graduating in 1963 with a major in Personnel Management, and a minor in Business. He enjoyed playing with Marching Mizzou, until he broke his leg playing intramural football. At Mizzou he was in Air Force ROTC where he learned to fly. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.

Kent met his wife, Beverly Anne Blum, in high school when they were just sixteen years old. He lost a book, she found it and decided to return it to him in person because "he was cute." The rest is history . . . they married on June 17, 1960, in Independence, Missouri. He always referred to her as "his girlfriend". They enjoyed many adventures and travels throughout their sixty-five years of marriage, although they would both say their best adventure was raising their three children, daughter Molly, and sons Mark and Matthew. Their family life began in Independence, later moving to Blue Springs, Missouri.

Kent began his career working in Human Resources at BMA (Business Men's Assurance Co.) in the former BMA Tower in Kansas City, Missouri. He eventually transitioned to the Real Estate and Property Development Division. He traveled throughout North America developing residential and commercial properties, condominium communities, golf courses, resorts and shopping areas. He was a visionary who dreamed of projects that others thought impossible . . . until he built them into reality.

After his retirement from BMA, Kent, along with his eldest son Mark, envisioned, designed and developed The Village At Indian Point . . . an award-winning condominium resort on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri. For over three decades, since 1991, the resort has welcomed owners and guests from around the world for wholesome good times in the Ozark Mountains. The Village was his final masterpiece. A descendant of some of the original settlers of Branson, this area was a place he loved to visit as a child, and it became his final earthly home . . . and one that he dearly loved.

Kent had a sense of civic duty and was actively involved in his communities. He served on the Blue Springs Planning Commission for many years. After their move to Branson, he participated in many programs with the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and the Branson Lodging Association. For many years, he traveled around the country as their representative at Travel Shows. Kent also served as a Board member of the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District.

Kent was an avid outdoorsman. Through his writings and in practice, he passed this love onto his children, grandchildren, and many youngsters over the years. Fishing for bass from his first boat, working with his beloved German shorthaired pointers or hunting for quail through a frosty bean field, he savored it all. From standing in a frigid trout stream, stalking big game in the mountains or across South Africa, to quietly watching the sun rise and then set from a tree stand in North Missouri, Kent was passionate about nature, conservation, teaching and the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly, who lovingly cared for his every need at home throughout his journey, and his children, Molly Turner, Mark Turner and Matthew Turner (Shawn), as well as six grandchildren, Lindsey Zinter (Ryan), Trent Edie (Hannah), Ethan Turner, Emily Turner, Nicholas Turner (Hannah), and Madeline Turner, and seven great-grandchildren, Avery, Braxton and Emma Zinter, Morrigan Edie, and Brooks, Jack and Hank Turner.

A memorial service to honor Kent's life will be held Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 708 State Highway 248, Branson, MO, 65616. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those wishing to honor Kent's memory consider a donation to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, which advances the conservation and appreciation of Missouri's fish, forest and wildlife resources.

TAHAP. . . go on up the trail and rest . . . and Welcome Home!