Richard J. Turpin

March 27, 2025 after a long but valiant fight with kidney disease.

Rick as he was known by many was born June 8, 1951 in Washington, DC as the third child

to his parents Jean Carolyn (Wertz) and Richard L. Turpin.

He spent most of his growing up years in Roger’s Heights, MD where he graduated from

Bladensburg High School in 1969. Many of his friends at that time are still friends today.

Rick served in the Army National Guard for seven years after high school. Also, during this

time, Rick started his own company hanging aluminum siding called RJ Turpin Aluminum

Products. This later became Bowie Siding & Roofing, Inc. that is entering its 54th year in

business and is still owned and operated by his children.

Rick married his wife of 49 years Drue Anne on August 14, 1976 after finding her at her job,

the department store Montgomery Wards, where he asked her to go on a motorcycle ride.

He used to love to ride motorcycles and had several Harleys over the years. He and Drue

have been blessed with four children and eleven grandchildren.

Rick and family were members of Mt. Oak Church in Mitchellville for many years until his

full-time move to Virginia where he lived with his wife in a beautiful home he built on the

water of the Potomac River. In earlier years Rick often helped Mount Oak Church with

home improvement and building projects. After moving to Virginia Rick was a member of

Fairport Baptist Church in Reedville, VA. Once Rick was no longer able to walk easily, he

loved to listen to the services online at The MACC where some of his children attend.

Church was always a priority and he would go rain or shine. Often riding his motorcycle

there while the family drove separately in the car. The family finds it humorous that there

was at least once if not more times that our family was the only one who showed up during

a heavy snowstorm.

Rick was athletic as a child and after having children was extremely involved in their sports.

He coached or assisted on many teams including for the Bowie Boys and Girls Club as well

as Riverdale Baptist Baseball. He loved to video tape each game and to his death could still

tell you highlights and memories of many of those games. Rick loved hunting, fishing and

crabbing. He also loved history and genealogy.

Rick’s grandchildren were the light of his life and he spent as much time with them as

possible. There are many special memories of fishing and crabbing on the dock and going

out on the boat.

He is survived by his wife Drue; daughter Jocelyn Turpin-Anderson of Bowie, MD and four

granddaughters Grace, Carolyn, Annella and Evelyn Anderson; daughter Jessica Harper

(Benson) of Denton, MD and four grandsons Caleb, Luke, Nathan and Will Harper; Son

Joseph (Julie) of Bowie, MD and two grandsons Jackson and James as well as

granddaughter June Turpin and son RJ Turpin, Jr. also of Bowie, MD. In addition to his

immediate family he is also survived by a sister Judith Oarr of College Park, his nephew

Chris Oarr and a niece Wendy Olson as well as many cousins and second cousins on his

Wertz side. He is predeceased by his little brother Bobby Turpin, his father Richard L.

Turpin, his nephew Scott Olson, his mother Jean, his older sister Carolyn Olson and his

nephew Richard Oarr.

Rick lived a full and successful life. He was an excellent communicator, salesman and

provider. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and shared the gospel with all he met.

He always said that he would rather win a soul than make a sale and his company verse

was Proverbs 11:30 which states: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who

wins souls is wise.” Rick has left a rich legacy of family, friendship and hard work which will

be remembered and appreciated by many.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 8, 2025 at Mid Atlantic Community Church

located at 2485 Davidsonville Road, Gambrills, MD 21054.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 am; immediately following with be the funeral service at 12:00.

A luncheon will be provided in the same location after the service. All are welcome.

The burial will take place the following day Wednesday, April 9, 2025 when he is laid to rest

next to his beloved father at National Memorial Park Cemetery, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls

Church, VA 22042 at 11:00 am.