Turner Saunders Lux

Turner Saunders Lux Jr. was born in New Orleans on March 23, 1923, to Geneva Irene May, of Brooksville, Miss., and Turner Saunders Lux Sr., of Birmingham, Ala. Married for 62 years to Violet Blakewood Lux, of Kleinwood Plantation; and the father of Martha Lux Matthews, wife of Jack B. Matthews, Sydney, Australia, Turner Saunders "Sandy" Lux III, married to Dana Todd Lux, of Baton Rouge, and James Bond Lux married to Nita Louise Gregorie Lux, of Memphis, Tenn. His grandchildren are James Bond Lux Jr., of Knoxville, Tenn., Shelby Gregorie Lux, of Baton Rouge, Joshua Scott Lesley, of Ruston, Julia Louise Lux, of Memphis, Caleb Todd Lesley, of Baton Rouge, Laura Kelley Priestly Matthews, of Sydney, and Turner Saunders Lux IV, of Baton Rouge. He is survived by a brother, Richard Hall Lux, of Augusta, Ga., his wife, Beverly, and their daughters, Sherron and Carol. He was a graduate of Alcee Fortier High School, New Orleans, and was a bandsman in high school with Al Hirt. He continued his band activity in the LSU Tiger Band, where he met his sweetheart, Violet. He graduated from LSU College of Engineering and continued his education at Georgia Tech. College was interrupted by World War II, where he served as an infantryman in the European Theater and was wounded in a battle near Kleinbittersdorf, Germany. For his heroic achievement in action, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After 33 years of service with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, he joined the ranks of "retiree." He was Louisiana's liaison with the railroad companies and led in a program of improved grade crossings and signal arms which led the nation. Although incapacitated with a leg amputation from the war and a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1957, he was an outstanding Scoutmaster of Troop 3 Istrouma Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. He received many awards including Scouting's highest honor, the Silver Beaver. He was an active Sunday school teacher, deacon and choir member of First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Pallbearers will be Turner "Sandy" Lux, Bond Lux, Tom Jackson, William Marshall and James and Shelby Lux. Honorary pallbearers are former members and assistant Scoutmasters of Troop 3 Boy Scouts of America. Visitation at First Baptist Church, 529 Convention St., Sunday, Dec. 30, was from 2 p.m. until service at 3:30 p.m. Burial on Monday, Dec. 31, in Port Hudson National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Attendees may join the processional at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., at 11:30 a.m. or meet at the cemetery for the 1 p.m. full military graveside service. Persons wishing, may make donations to Istrouma Area Boy Scouts of America, LSU College of Engineering or Hospice of Baton Rouge.