Turner Stephen Jones was born on June 29th, 1949, in Madisonville, Kentucky. His father worked on oil rigs in various places, so Turner hopped from one school to the next. After graduating from high school, he attended Louisiana State University. Turner voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on November 19th, 1969. After completing his training for M.O.S. (military occupational specialty) 6213, Fixed Wing Aircraft Mechanic, he was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro near Santa Ana, California. Turner married Maryanne Hendricks on July 17th 1971. This marriage produced two children who Turner described as “the best thing he ever did.” Turner served the Marine Corps proudly, obtaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) before his honorable discharge on November 16th, 1973. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Turner continued his college education, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western Illinois University. He worked as a computer and financial auditor and ultimately retired from the Texas Department of Insurance.
A generous man, Turner was mindful of the plight of the poor and the aged. He led an initiative to build low income and senior housing, the first of its kind in Clinton, Iowa, and was recognized by the governor of Iowa for this achievement. Even in his senior years, Turner was known for checking on the welfare of the homeless people of West Houston on cold nights.
Turner cared for children and was a lover of nature. He combined these passions by serving as a Boy Scout Master for many years in Illinois and Texas. Turner dreamed of kayaking the Mississippi River and four-wheeling the Nevada desert. He was fond of camping and taking long drives through the countryside.
Turner was a loving father. He is survived by his sons Turner Matthew Jones and Christopher Daniel Jones and his grandchildren Cheyenne Krystelle Ablen Jones and Turner Christopher Jones. He will be dearly missed.
Perhaps most importantly, Turner was a devout Christian. He served as a deacon of the First Congregational Church in Springfield, Illinois. His loved ones are at peace in the knowledge that Turner has joined his mother and father in the Lord Jesus Christ’s kingdom in Heaven.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- John 3:16
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