Jerry Turner

Jerry Lee Turner, age eighty-three, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, with the love of his life, his three adoring children, and two of his beloved grandchildren at his bedside. He will be remembered for his spark, his good humor, his ability to make everyone, everywhere, love him, and his unending love for his family and friends.

Born on August 24, 1943, in Casper, Wyoming, to the late Harry and Frances (Vining) Turner, he spent his earliest years there while his father was in the service before growing up in Springfield, Missouri, “born southern by the grace of God.” He was raised by Frances, an industrious and resourceful mom, and Harry, a big-hearted and encouraging dad, with his forever partner in mischief by his side, his younger brother Gary. The boys played sports and went to church without fail, completed long lists of chores, and sometimes faced the switch for their antics. During these years, he was given the nickname “Spunky.”

He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri–Rolla, where he played college football and joined the Sigma Nu fraternity. He met his wife, Susie, in high school and patiently waited for her to graduate from college, pursuing her all the while. They were a remarkable pair—a mix of brains, compassion, charm, good nature, generosity, and a little bit of rabble-rousing (all Jerry). Married in Springfield in 1968, they moved to Columbus, Ohio, where they built a rich community of friends who became family.

An athlete who grew up playing baseball, basketball, and football, he joined a touch football league and a softball league and played pickup basketball. Many of their earliest and most enduring friendships were built during those years. It was at one of those rec league basketball games that he met Jim Nein, a friendship that began with Jerry fouling Jim repeatedly and grew into a brotherhood. For more than fifty years, the two remained lifelong friends, and their families grew up together.

Jerry and Susie had three children, Chad, Drew, and Lori, who became the center of his world.

A longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Scioto Country Club, he loved golf and the friendships that flourished there. Even after he could no longer play, he relished the camaraderie—sharing jokes and life updates over a nip of Dewar’s. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and especially his role as a little league coach. He could be seen pacing the field when Chad and Drew played high school football and baseball, and later became Lori’s biggest lacrosse fan.

For more than thirty years, the Farm in Waverly, Ohio, was a beloved place to spend time with his boys and dear friends Bart and Lisa, who became extended family. Initially drawn to the land in southern Ohio for hunting, it became a special family refuge where the proximity to nature and God’s beauty served as a reminder of what matters most—family, faith, and the simple gift of being together.

He also loved “making memories” with his son Drew, daughter-in-law Tonia, and their three beautiful children in Orange Beach, Alabama. He and Susie spent winters in the warmth there, became Mako and Crimson Tide fans, and gained a whole new community of friends and admirers at the beach. They frequently visited Lori and Joe in Chicago, where he delighted in listening to Blues music and being indoctrinated into Croatian culture by the ever-welcoming and warm Alfirevich family.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Susie (Langston) Turner; his son, Chad Turner, and Chad’s children, Paisley and Shane Turner; his son, Drew (Tonia) Turner, and their children, Bella, Cash, and Bailey Turner; his daughter, Lori (Joe Alfirevich) Turner, and their children, Ava, Peter, and Paulie Alfirevich; and his brother, Gary (Roxy) Turner, along with so many beloved extended family members and friends. His devotion to his family, generous spirit, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service for Jerry will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43212.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jerry’s memory to the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) https://narf.org/ or the Trinity United Methodist Church Foundation https://www.trinityumchurch.com/foundation He had a profound respect for Native American culture and believed in leaving something meaningful behind. We can think of no better way to honor his memory than by supporting Native American communities and preserving their culture for generations to come, or by giving to the church community that was such an important part of his life.

Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Schoedinger Northwest.