Claremont – In loving memory of Rev. Charles (Chuck) Turnbill. Chuck, 87, of Claremont went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 30th, 2024 at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Born on January 17th, 1937 in McDowell County, NC, Charles was the son of the late Samuel and Marie B. Presnell Turnbill.
He received Jesus as his lord and savior at the age of seven.
Chuck joined the Air Force at (almost) 18, and married his wife Nancy later that year. Chuck served 5 years in the Air Force at NATO Headquarters in Fountainbleu, France where Nancy joined him and where both of his children were born. He later joined NASA’s science lab in California as a researcher for the Apollo 11 – 17 programs. There, he studied the moon rocks that were brought back to earth by Apollo 11’s first moon landing, looking for signs of life and the biological effects of cosmic radiation. He was proud to have co-written the published report of the lab’s findings in scientific journals.
Upon retiring from NASA, he joined the Calvary Community Church staff in San Jose, CA as Director of TV Broadcast Ministry. Upon answering a call from the Salem Oregon chapter of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, he and Nancy moved to Oregon. They later moved to Pennsylvania where he became General Manager of TV Channel 61 and served as chaplain of the Pennsylvania state senate as well as ministered in the men’s state prison.
Chuck and Nancy returned to Hickory in 1981. He retired from Alcatel where he managed a quality control lab.
Chuck enjoyed golf, fishing and music. He enjoyed learning to play bag pipes with the Salem Oregon National Guard Reserve Pipe Band. He maintained a Ham radio license and collected microscopes.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Nancy, his son Charles Paul Turnbill, and his daughter Christine Talmant and her husband Kevin Talmant.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Catawba Funeral Home on Thursday, September 5th, 2024 at 11:00 am with Pastor Jeff Brown officiating. Burial will follow the service at Catawba Memorial Park.
Condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.
The Turnbill Family is under the care of Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations.
