Gene Turner

He is survived by his wife, Lana; daughter, Abby Tucker (Bart); granddaughters, Cecilia Tucker and Lana Kate Tucker; brother, Byron Turner (Amyotha), and many nieces and nephews.

His hatred of his legal name was legendary. Most people couldn’t find him in the hospital because his real name was a closely guarded secret. Milton Eugene Turner often lamented that he could’ve been named Robert if only he hadn’t been born on his Aunt Jean’s birthday.

He had a love/hate relationship with the game of golf. It expanded his vocabulary and raised his blood pressure, even though he eventually enjoyed a single digit handicap. Most of his golfing buddies would say it was due to the ‘Turner Par’. Which was his mythical ability to scramble on a terrible lie and save the par. His advice helped many a friend cut strokes. He even corrected a duck hook from his hospital bed.

Although born in Birmingham, Alabama, Gadsden, Alabama was his hometown. Gene and his brother Jimmy (deceased) enjoyed playing Little League and giving their parents, Catherine and Bill, (both deceased) fits with their shenanigans. Catherine didn’t understand why boys were so different from girls. Gene’s sister Marilyn (deceased) never got into the trouble that he and Jimmy did.

At James Memorial Baptist Church Gene spied a pretty little girl and knew instantly he would marry her. He then focused all of his energy into wooing little Lana Lasseter. She remained unconvinced for the next seven years.

During that time Gene graduated from Gadsden High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served a tour in the Mediterranean on the U.S.S. Arnab during the Vietnam War. The Navy laid the world at his feet and for the remainder of his life he was planning his next trip.

He married Lana when he returned home and graduated from The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a BA in History. He and Lana welcomed their one and only child a few years later. Thus began Gene’s life of being perpetually outnumbered. On Abby’s wedding day Gene remarked that he was not only gaining a son but also gaining ground in the gender war.

Gene worked with the phone company for twenty-nine years. He enjoyed the challenges of his job and the world of telecommunications. Mainly because he got to talk a lot, which was something he loved to do.

He researched everything because his interests were unlimited. If a subject intrigued him, he’d devour as many books and articles as he could find. The arrival of Google was his manna from heaven.

Gene was known for his storytelling. He enthralled children and adults alike with his mostly true stories. His daughter was devastated when she learned that her dad hadn’t actually killed a tiger in India. She was sure her dad was the most amazing heroic man. Many years later she realized that even without killing a tiger, he was.

Anyone could tell you that becoming a grandfather or Poppy was his life’s greatest joy. Abby often didn’t recognize the man that was now allergic to discipline as her father. He doted on his two granddaughters and cared little that he was, once again, outnumbered. In his final days he was told that he was the perfect Poppy and he replied that it was all he ever wanted to be.

Gene was married to Lana for forty-two years. They always held hands and argued over how loud he kept the television. The love Gene and Lana shared was a gift from God. They were committed to each other, their family, and their faith. Sweethearts forever.

The funeral service for Gene will be at 11am on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Friday evening at the funeral home from 6pm until 8pm.

Arrangements under the direction of Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, AL.