Prince Emory Turner Jr.

Prince Emory Turner, Jr., 97, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at his home in Mobile, Alabama. He was born to Prince Emory Turner and Estelle Knight Turner on May 9, 1924 in Atlanta, Georgia. Prince attended High School in Gadsden, Alabama, where he toured as a member of the Apollo Boys Choir located in Birmingham, Alabama. He joined the U.S. Navy during WWII, where he received his high school diploma in the mail while serving at Guadalcanal. Prince served aboard the USS Stratford as well as other ships as needed, covering every island in the South Pacific to Okinawa – where one of his last jobs was to compensate the compasses aboard the “USS Alabama”, after it incurred severe damage from a Pacific typhoon.

After the war, Prince attended the University of Alabama before returning to Auckland, New Zealand – a port he frequented during WWII. He finished University in Auckland and began working for Barefoot Brothers Real Estate. Prince did not appreciate the Socialist economy, so he made the move back to the United States in 1949, where he managed a division for Phillip Morris, Inc. in South Alabama. Prince could not rise in rank from Petty Officer due to an astigmatism which required him to wear glasses, but on the flip-side, allowed him the best night vision aboard any ship, resulting in a lot of night duty. The task Prince was responsible for in the Korean War was great – he was responsible for teaching the young soldiers how to get through the Panama Canal to Norfolk.

Before being called for the Korean War, Prince had met the love of his life and his bride-to-be, Kathleen Meadows, in Montgomery, Alabama. The wedding was postponed for obvious reasons, so upon his return the first thing he did was make her his wife. They were married in Montgomery on July 31, 1951. After 20 years, Turner left Phillip Morris and joined his wife and two sons, who had been running their family business: Turner Marine Supply, Inc., out of Montgomery, Alabama. At that time, they expanded to locations in Pensacola, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; and Mandeville, Louisiana.

Prince retired from the family business in 1980, closing all locations except for the one in Mobile. At that time, he and Kathleen would spend 4 to 5 months in the winter and spring cruising aboard “SV Princess” (their 424 Pearson ketch), every year for over 30 years. They covered over 50,000 nautical miles, cruising the Bahamas, Eleuthera, Georgetown, and all in-between. Next, they moved over to the islands and reefs, from Isla Mujeres to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras – covering all inland tours and off shore reefs.

Perhaps the best of times, however, were competition yacht racing. Prince and Kathleen had to start their sons out in their own boats at age 10 and 11, because there were four Skippers in the family. For the past few years, Prince and Kathleen spent most of their time sitting on the deck of their retirement Cottage at the back of Marina at Turner Marine Yacht Sales on Dog River, feeling very humble, wondering at the blessings God bestowed upon them – for they are sure He has been with them every step of the way.

Prince is survived by his wife of 71 years, Kathleen Meadows Turner; sons, Prince E. Turner, III (Dolly) and Keith W. Turner (Olena); grandson, Roger Earl Turner; granddaughters, Jennifer Ann Turner (Ryan Black) and Sofia Maria Turner; great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Jade, and Allyse; great-great grandchildren, Saddie and Dominic; as well as other cherished family and friends.

Visitation for Prince will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Pine Crest Funeral Home, with a chapel service immediately following. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery.