Roy Harlan Turner

1953 - 2018

Roy Harlan Turner

Roy Harlan Turner, 65, of Cowskin, Duck W. Va., went home to be with the Lord on May 11, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Roy was the son of the late William E. Sr. and Marjorie (Joel) Turner.

Left to cherish his memory are Roy's loving wife, Sharon (Knicely) Turner of 27 years; daughter, Melissa Turner of Piqua, Ohio; son, Shane Knicely; grandchildren, Andrew and Jessica Knicely of Akron, Ohio; brother, William E. Turner, Jr. (JoAnne) of Tallmadge, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Roy H. Turner was born in Akron, Ohio on April 28, 1953 and graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1971. In 2002, he retired from the Teamsters Local 24 with 30 years of service having worked at Duff Truck Lines, Preston Trucking, and Consolidated Freightways, pulling double and triple- trailers on the Ohio and Indiana Turnpikes. While living in Braxton County he was a substitute bus driver for a while and before becoming ill was a substitute postal route carrier in Duck, W. Va. He was a member of the Akron Baptist Temple.

Roy enjoyed the fellowship of Freemasonry. He was raised a Master Mason in Adoniram Lodge #517 in May 1987 and served as Master in 1993 and 1999. He joined the Valley of Akron, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in April 1988 and served as Thrice Potent Master of the Aroba Lodge of Perfection in 1997. He was active in many degrees and since 2002 served as the Valley's Stagecraft Chairman, receiving the Director's Award in 2003. He was selected to receive the Meritorious Service Award in 2005, and was elected and coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, 33° in Chicago, Illinois on August 30, 2011.

Illustrious Brother Roy Turner is one of only six men in the history of the Valley of Akron to receive both honors. Other Masonic affiliations include Cuyahoga Falls Chapter #225 Royal Arch Masons, Akron Council #80, Akron Commandery #25 Knights Templar, Knight Masons of Ireland #28, and Tadmor Shriners.

Roy was also very active in The Sons of The American Legion and served as State Commander for Ohio in 1994-95 and also for West Virginia in 2008-09. He was National Sergeant-At-Arms, National Historian, and held various other National Committee appointments. He was a Staff Counselor for the American Legion Mountaineer Boy's State in West Virginia and a S.A.L. Representative and weekly volunteer for the Clarksburg V.A. Medical Center. He formed and chartered a S.A.L. Squadron with American Legion Post #33 in Braxton County, W. Va. in 2004.

Roy was a professional musician bassist for various bands, playing bluegrass, swing, contemporary, and classic rock-n-roll. He performed with Paul Cottrill and High Mountain Bluegrass, Wager, the Douglas Brothers, Ginsangers, the John Truman Band, and the Bill & Roy Turner Band of northeast Ohio plus other groups. He loved music. Roy even found time to make instruments for friends and family members. Some friends called him the "Music Man".

Roy loved to spend time with his grandchildren and other youths who surrounded him hoping to instill values and lifelong lessons he held dear. He spent his life in service to others, someone said it best, "Roy could not do enough for people."

Roy was so easy to love and to be a friend because he was a friend to all. Roy lived in a way that he was not afraid to leave this world. He always graced those around him with a smile, encouragement, love and kindness. He often cited the words from the Sons of The American Legion preamble "We are Proud Possessors of a Priceless Heritage" and also from Freemasonry "Time, Patience and Perseverance will accomplish all things."

A Masonic Service will be held Monday, May 14, 2018 6 p.m. at Richard M Roach Funeral Home, 708 Braxton St., Gassaway, W. Va. 26624 with viewing to follow until 9 p.m. to celebrate Roy's life. Funeral Services 11 a.m. Tuesday with Pastor Trevor Morris officiating. Interment at the Jamie Hill Cemetery, Cowskin, W. Va. The Sons of the American Legion will assist with graveside services.

Flowers are very nice and thoughtful but Roy would have liked to benefit a child, so in lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or to Shriners Hospitals for Children in care of Tadmor Shriners, 3000 Krebs Drive, Akron, OH 44319.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway, W. Va. which is honored to serve Roy , Sharon and family.