Herbert Turk Sr.

TURK
HERBERT ANTHONY TURK, Sr., Col USAF Retired, age 90, of Boerne, TX (formerly of Windcrest, San Antonio, TX), died January 11, 2010, in Boerne of complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Herb was born July 20, 1919, in rural Norman, OK to Anton Joseph Turk & Clara Louise Guenther. He graduated from Moore (OK) H.S. in 1936 and the University of Oklahoma, BA in Arts and Sciences, 1940 and LLB in 1947 (later designated J.D). Commissioned in the U S Army Field Artillery Reserve through the ROTC program in 1940, he was called to active duty in 1941 as an Army Air Corps Administrative Officer and served in this capacity until 1946, when he returned to inactive status and entered law school. He practiced law in Blackwell OK from 1947 until l951, when called to return to active duty with the USAF to serve as Staff Judge Advocate, 20th AF, on Okinawa. He served in a number of judge advocate assignments until his retirement in l974 when he was Staff Judge Advocate, Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, TX. After retiring from the USAF, he practiced some civil law from his home-office from 1974 until 1991. Herb was an active parishioner at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, serving over decades as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, an usher, as a lector, and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. For years, he worked with the team to count, secure and then deposit the Sunday offerings. He was a charter member of Windcrest Post 612, American Legion and also a member of the Knights of Columbus, most recently the Monsignor Robert Silverman Council. He loved his Catholic faith and life in general, and in his retirement really favored gardening, perhaps hearkening back to the days of his youth on an Oklahoma farm. He had a long-time appreciation of music highlighted by his membership in the University of Oklahoma marching band during his college days. Herb Turk never met a stranger. He is survived by his spouse, the former Frances M. Koenig, Hallettsville, TX, whom he married in 1943; his three sons Herbert A. Turk, Jr. (Loula); Christopher A. Turk (Barbara); and Peyton E. Turk, all of Boerne; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 9:30-10 am on Tuesday~January 19, 2010 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway, SATX 78239. A rosary will be recited at 10:00 am with the mass to follow at 10:30 am at the church. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Visit www.sunsetmemorialparkandfuneralhome.com for more information.