Thomas Lane Turpin Jr.

Thomas Lane Turpin Jr., age 71, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Janet Johnson Turpin, and their two daughters, Mary Kathleen Renaudin (Will) and Lauren Taylor Monjeau (Derek). He also leaves behind three beloved grandchildren - Madyson Taylor Trueblood, Peyton Ann Trueblood, and Shepard Lane Monjeau - as well as his sister, Terri Lindstrand Turpin, who moved to Oxford to be by his side throughout his courageous battle with cancer. Tom is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends, and former colleagues whom he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Thomas Lane Turpin and Nadine Lindstrand Segabarth, his sister Tracy Turpin Young, and his son Jay Thomas Turpin.
Tom was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 7, 1954, weighing just 1 pound, 9 ounces. At the time, he was the smallest baby to survive, earning a feature in the newspaper as "Tiny Tommy Turpin" when he was finally able to go home. At age two, his family moved to Tunica, Mississippi, where he spent a joyful childhood filled with basketball games in the driveway, imaginative "Army battles" with his sisters, and endless hours tinkering with his forest green Vega - taking it apart to the nuts and bolts and rebuilding it weekend after weekend. It was, perhaps, his earliest training for dental school.
Tom loved Tunica deeply and often reminisced about its people and history. After attending Ole Miss and later Memphis State University, he began dental school just one week after marrying Janet. Following his graduation in 1986, Tom established his dental practice in Memphis and joined the US Army National Guard. In 1998, he moved his family to Arkansas, where he began his long and dedicated career at the VA, eventually serving as Chief of Dentistry.
Following 9/11, Tom was deployed four times to Iraq. Through his service and leadership, he rose to the rank of Colonel. Tom was deeply proud of his military service and carried an unwavering love for his country throughout his life.
Above all, Tom loved his family and friends. He was immensely proud of his wife and children, and he cherished every moment spent with them. He had a generous heart, a curious mind, and a giving spirit - always ready to help a friend or even a stranger in need.
Tom lived a life marked by love, service, and compassion - a life truly well spent.
A celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Hernando, MS at 1:30 pm. Private interment will be at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetary at a later date
In lieu of traditional flowers the family has requested that donations be given to Tunnels to Towers Foundation by clicking on the following link https://t2t.org/donate.