Jesse Turner

Jesse Willard Turner passed away November 17, 2019. Jesse was born July 14, 1932, in Bokchito, Bryan Co, OK to Ivan Willard and Rutha Violet (Vinson) Turner. He married Theda Joyce Hendricks on May 20,1954 in Durant, OK. Jesse and Joyce celebrated 65 years of a loving marriage, and were completely devoted to one another.

Jesse served his country in the U.S. Army and is a combat veteran of the Korean War. After his military service, he returned to his home state and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University. After working in the apple orchards and lumber mills of Washington and Oregon, Jesse took a position with T & P Railroad and moved his family to Texas. By 1960, Jesse and Joyce had two daughters, and settled to raise them in Grand Prairie, TX. Jesse worked many years for Empire Life Insurance Company in Dallas, TX. In his later years he was employed by Manheim, Dallas, where he retired.

Jesse was a Christian man, serving many years in the Baptist Church as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He also participated in Builders for Christ, helping to build churches.

Jesse was a lifelong football fan of the OU Sooners, and enjoyed watching them win just hours before his passing.

Growing up on the farm, Jesse never lost his love of nature and animals. He loved travel and history and music, but most of all his family. He was an example of the character of Christ; devoted husband, loving father, steadfast friend. Jesse will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. His kindness, his wisdom, his wit and his love of life will live on in our memories.

Jesse is preceded in death by his Father, Ivan Willard Turner, Mother, Rutha Violet Turner, and brother, Robert Daniel Turner.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Theda Joyce (Hendricks) Turner; daughters: Sherry Gail Turner, Teresa Edwards and her husband, Bret; grandchildren: Joshua Vaughn and his wife, Lauren, Amber Rhodes and her husband, Cory, Sommer McKee and her husband, Josh, Matthew Edwards and his wife, April; sister Ruth Turner; sister in law Sue Moore; twelve great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.