John Arthur Turnbull

December 21, 1923 - March 6, 2007

A devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a loving husband whose uncompromising strength and endurance provided us all with much inspiration, departed to be with the Lord on March 6, 2007. God saw he was getting tired and whispered "Come with me." Although we all loved him dearly we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, working hands came to rest, God broke our hearts to prove he only takes the best. He will be deeply missed. Born December 21, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to the late Ernest Edgar "Jack" and Effie May Turnbull. After graduating from Alhambra High School in January 1942, he served in the United States Army Air Corps from January 4, 1943 - February 22, 1946. John spent 35 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District as a construction inspector and supervisor, retiring on December 29, 1986. He also worked for the architect firm of Maxwell Starkman and Associates. John resided in Hawthorne since 1964 actively involved in local youth sports, especially capturing photographic action shots of kids that appeared in the weekly newspaper. John was a Mason since 1961, Past Master of Euclid Lodge (Golden Trowel Norwalk Lodge) and a long time PTA member. He was an avid fisherman, camper, and carpenter who also enjoyed golf and travel. John is survived by the love of his life, Rosaline, of 42 years; his sons, John Jr. (wife, Christina) of Arcadia, Robert (wife, Jennifer) of El Segundo, his daughters, Debbie of Oakland, OR and Cindi of Vancouver, WA. Grandchildren Brayden (13) and Kelsey (11) of El Segundo, Kenny (32) of Sandy, UT, Noah (29) of Oakland, OR and Sasha (26) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; three great-grandchildren, Zach (12), Samantha (9) and Henry (9 months), and his sister, Audrey (husband, David) of Stockton, CA. He was preceded in death by son, James Bradley in 1947. John will be greatly missed by his family and friends and leaves a legacy of love, bravery and strength. We'll never forget you. We miss you so much and we will see you in heaven. A gathering for family and friends celebrating John's life will be on Friday, March 16, 2007 at Rice Mortuary in Torrance beginning at 11 am with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following charities on behalf of John Turnbull; National Parkinson Foundation, inc. at www.parkinson.org or The American Heart Association at http://honor.americanheart.org or the California State PTA Scholarship Fund at 2327 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816

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