Hommer Turtle

Hommer Edward Turtle was born on March 10th, 1944 in Leach, OK, the son of Levi and Nannie (Miller) Turtle. He was raised around one brother, Willie Campbell. He grew up in the Leach Community and also lived for a time in Bull Hollow. Growing up he loved music and never missed out on a chance to play lead guitar and sing, especially the good ole country music tunes. Hommer was so very proud of his Cherokee heritage and was a National Treasure, having spoken Cherokee in the family home, all of his lifetime. He graduated from Kansas High School and then began his studies at NSU in Business. He was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict and faithfully served his country, from June 22, 1965 until June 12th, 1967.He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960 and the M-14 Sharpshooter. Hommer was with the 557th Engr Co where he was with transportation driving small trucks. He returned home and met and married the love of his life, Jo Ann Lamb, who soon became Mrs. Hommer Turtle. They were blessed with two children a daughter Angela and a son, Brian. He earned his families living as a machinist at Franklin Electric. When he wasn’t working, you could find Hommer at the nearest lake, stream, pond and creek, going fishing and hunting crawdads. He loved the great outdoors. He was also good with vegetables in the garden and could raise anything, but wasn’t that fond of weeding! He loved walking in the great outdoors and watching his grandson play baseball. He was quiet, soft spoken, but could get heated if he needed to. He loved people and had a big heart. He never met a stranger and would give you anything he had if it would help you. He was everyone's friend and adored any chance to spend time with his family. He even enjoyed a little time with friends at the casino sharing a laugh or two. A Christian by faith, he attended the Twin Oaks Baptist Church and loved his friends there. The road wasn’t always easy for Homme. He endured the loss of his grandparents, mom and dad, his wife, son, brother, and son-in-law, Gary Foreman, and sister in law, Deloris Hart. Yet he never lost sight of all the blessing that were his. The Lord called this wonderful man home from his many labors on August 4th, 2025 in Tahlequah, OK, surrounded by the family he adored. Hommer was 81 years of age. He leaves a vacant chair that can never be filled.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Angela Foreman of Oaks, and his grandson, Derek Turtle and girlfriend Amber Verett of Oaks, OK. He also leaves his two great grandchildren, Jayden Bluebird of Oaks, OK and Brooklyn Woolman of Jay, OK. He also leaves sister-in-law, Pat Horn and husband Guy of Tahlequah, OK, brother-in-law, Edgar Lamb and wife Iva of Rose, OK, and brother-in-law, Jerry Hart of Morris, OK. There are many nieces, nephews, cousins, comrades, as well as a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Hommer Edward Turtle will be conducted on Friday, August 8th, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Eben Ezer Church in Oaks, OK, with Pastor Booley Forrest officiating. His family will have a visitation on Thursday beginning at 2:00 PM until 6:00 Pm at Reed-Culver Chapel . He will be laid to rest next to his wife at Russell -Double Springs Cemetery in Oaks, OK. Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Army.

Pallbearers for Hommer include Austin Pepper, Keith Lamb, Sonny Lamb, Jordan Haynes, Joshua Haynes, John Wayne Rackliff, and Bubba Lamb. His Honorary pallbearer is his grandson, Derek Turtle.