Dr. Kenneth Turner was born June 17th, 1935 in South Bend, Indiana, to Oscar and Laverne Turner. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, April 12th, 2019.
Ken served in the United States Navy during the Korean War as a sonar man on the USS Seafox. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Hughes, and they loved each other for over 60 years until her death in 2017.
He graduated in 1963 from Indiana University as a Doctor of Optometry, and he dedicated the rest of his life, with passion, to his profession.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved his community, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ken was a musician/singer/actor in local productions, and most especially in his church. He sang in the choir at First United Methodist Church for over 45 years. He was a youth group leader and a Sunday school teacher. Ken was the "voice of the Hilltoppers", announcing football games every Friday night for over 20 years.
Ken dedicated his life, and love, to his family, and is survived by three children: Lynn Turner of Brevard, NC, Jeff, and wife Jan, of Belmont, NC, and Greg, and wife Brooke of Rutherfordton. Two Sisters Sue Mullins, and Pam Shafer, and husband Billy, both of Indiana. He is survived by seven grandchildren: Nicholas Clement, Michael Clement, Turner Hunt, Stuart Turner, Claire Turner, Gentry Turner, and Olivia Turner. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, and many beloved extended family members.
The life of Ken will be honored by a receiving of the friends at 12:30pm in the Fellowship Center of the First United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton NC, with a service to follow in the church, at 2:00pm on April 20th, 2019.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the choir of the First United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton, or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City, NC.
Online condolences at croweortuary.com |
