Robert Lester Turner

Robert Lester Turner was born September 4, 1942 in the Kosciusko, Leake County, Mississippi to Stella B. McMurtry Turner and Laborn Turner. Robert accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at an early age in Mississippi. He received his formal education in Mississippi and Illinois and ultimately received a High School Diploma from Saint Louis High School via Honolulu, Hawaii while in the Navy. Robert enlisted in to the United States Navy in 1961 because he wanted to serve his country, but he chose the Navy because he loved the water and wanted to travel the world. Robert met, his soon to be wife, Ruby Nell Gilbert in San Diego, CA. Robert and Ruby made their union official on May 8, 1976, in Santa Ana, California.

Robert served 25 years in the United States Navy, retiring in 1986 as a Chief Petty Officer. He was a mechanic and instructor and his specialties were Centrifugal Air Conditioning as well as Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. He was an honorable and decorated war veteran (Combat Action Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal - 4 bronze stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal). In 1987, he began working as security for the TRW Space & Defense Sector for a few years after retiring from the Navy. Robert attended Long Beach City College and earned an Occupational Certificate in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in 1990 but continued his education because he enjoyed learning new skills and gaining knowledge.

Robert was a complicated soul who loved a good laugh. After retiring from work, he dedicated time to his self-growth and eventually evolved into a more loving, patient, and understanding man, husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid CNN and sports watcher. He would watch just about any sporting competition but his favorites were basketball (Lakers & Golden State Warriors), football, and boxing. He liked listening to music and always looked for a good beat to snap his fingers and tap his foot to. He enjoyed capturing special moments of the family on his video camera. He really liked going on road trips and vacations but his favorite part was spending time with his family.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brothers Jimmie Turner, Billy Turner, and sisters Janice Rivers, Karol Maxey, and Helen Joanne Rivers. Robert passed away at the beautiful age of 77 surrounded by family and love. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ruby Nell Turner, his children: Marcus Jenkins, Marvin Jenkins, Veronica Carter, Marlo Hayden, Jacquetta Turner, Sheree Turner; 17 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; & his siblings: Kenneth Turner, Linda Powell Coles, Hattie Turner Love (Harvey), Sherry Rivers, and Lorene Carradine (James) and a host of nieces and nephews. Although Robert is no longer physically here with us, his soul has gone on to continue his spiritual walk with God. He will always be missed and never forgotten.