Edward "Ed" Lee Turner

Edward (Ed) Lee Turner, age 77, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, passed away February 11th, 2021, at Cone Hospital in Greensboro, N.C. Ed was the son of Joseph Turner (deceased) and Sarah Player Turner (deceased), husband of Judith (Judy) Arnette and brother of Leon Turner (deceased), Nancy Howard (deceased) and Josephine Grover (deceased). He is survived by his wife, Judy Arnette, and his son, Edward Lee Turner Jr. of Surfside Beach, S.C.

Ed worked as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on various construction projects around the country from 1969-1989. Upon settling in Greensboro, N.C. in 1989, he worked as an independent electrical contractor until 2004. At the end of his professional career Ed especially enjoyed traveling with various cruise lines while designing, building and installing stage rigging for theatrical productions. He retired from electrical work in 2008 but was always willing to help a friend in need of his expertise.

Ed's hobbies included fishing, cooking, travel and reading. Several friends and family were among the lucky diners Chez Edward although he had been heard to remark: “I’ve cooked meals even I couldn’t eat.” Don’t believe it. He was a runner up in the San Diego National Chili Cook Off. He had an inquisitive mind and enjoyed watching history and nature programs on TV as well as Wheel and Jeopardy. Some of his most often repeated quips were:” You gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough”, “He’d complain if he was hung with a new rope”, “You gotta be smarter than the tools you’re working with”, “ You get the piano, I’ll get the stool”, and “ It’s easier to outsmart a mouse than a fish”.

Statement from his wife. When I first met my future husband at a local watering hole, he described himself as a “part-time electrician, and full-time nice guy.” So very true. He had a quirky sense of humor and we laughed a lot (even when I sometimes didn’t “get it”). Most impressive was his assurance that he could “fix anything from the crack of dawn to a broken heart.” I am so grateful for the many travel adventures we shared in Egypt, Europe and the United States.

Statement from his son. My father was a man of many talents and a unique sense of humor. Kind and generous he was universally liked and respected by anyone who had the good fortune to cross his path. I’m grateful for the time we had together. I am a better man because of him. He once shared this wisdom with me: illigitimis non carborundum, it’s Latin, and roughly translated means “don’t let the bastards get you down”. Thanks Pop. I love you.

A Celebration of Life service will held in the spring at Surfside Beach in South Carolina. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Duke Heart Center, at the Duke Medical Center in Durham or Cone Hospital at Green Valley Road in Greensboro.

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Cone Hospital for their compassionate care and assistance.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is honored to assist the Turner family. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.