Sam Virgil Turner

Sam Turner passed away on February 21, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Hall Turner; his daughter, Teresa Turner Chang; and his son-in-law, Min Chang. He also leaves behind Cleo, the last in a long line of well-loved and thoroughly spoiled cats.

Sam was born in Big Spring, Texas, to H.V. (Buster) and Artelia Minton Turner and grew up in Stanton and Odessa. While most of his family were farmers and ranchers, Sam was a reader and thinker from his early years, and he earned a BA and an MA and worked toward a PhD.

As an adult, Sam lived principally in Austin, Houston, and Midland. Above all, Sam was a lover of language and ideas. In his academic life, Sam shared his insight into English composition and literature by teaching classes at various University of Houston campuses, Houston Community College, Midland College, and other institutions in Texas, New Mexico, and Idaho. In his business life, Sam's experiences ranged from getting oilfield roughnecks to smile for a publicity shot to serving as vice-president of an advertising agency. Sam was also proud to have served his country in the Air Force in explosive ordinance disposal during the Cold War.

Sam's generosity of spirit was expressed in his work with the mentally retarded and his interest in helping the less fortunate; in the care, guidance and support he gave his family, especially his sister Telia Ann Turner; and in his support of charities benefiting the working poor.

In recent years Sam lived with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. For much of his life, he suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder.

Services will be held at 11:00 on Saturday morning, March1st, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 11201 Parkfield Drive, with a reception afterward in the parish hall for all who would like to visit with the family. The burial will be at 2:00 in Austin Memorial Park.

To anyone wishing to memorialize Sam's life, the family suggests a gift to his favorite charity, the diabetes program at El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission, 7000 Woodhue Dr., Austin, TX 78745, 512-439-0700.