John Howell Turner, Jr. was born July 15, 1926 to John H. & Rui Turner in Ferris, Texas. He was a member of the Ferris High School Class of 1943 and served in the Navy during World War II. After the war ended, John returned home where he met and married Sue Warren of Palmer. The couple had two sons, Terry and Dennis.
They planted roots in Ferris, Texas where they settled in on the Turner family farm as John worked with his father. After his father passed, he took over the family farm and eventually worked side by side farming the family land with his two sons.
Over the years John has been involved in local and county organizations. He served as a board member and past president of Ellis County Farm Bureau, and in 2008, he was the recipient of the Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer award. He was a past chairman of the County Program Building Committee, a past member of the Integrated Pest Management Committee, a past board member of Famers Home Administration, and a former board member of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. In 1963, he received the Outstanding Conservation Farmer award. The Turner family also received the 2007 Family Land Heritage award from the Texas Department of Agriculture, which is a recognition program that honors families who have owned and operated a continuous agricultural operation for 100 years or more.
Locally, he was previously president of the Ferris Cooperative Gin, and the executive director of the Ferris Housing Authority. He was a volunteer leader for 4-H and FFA, and he served many years on the Ferris FFA Buyers Committee. He also served on the Ferris Memorial Park Cemetery Board and was a past board member of the Ferris Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1983, he helped organize the Ferris Forties school reunion where he served as treasurer for 20+ years. In 2013, John and wife Sue were recognized by the Ferris Lions Club as the “Pioneers of the Year” for their outstanding community and church service over the years.
The Turners were members of Ferris Baptist Fellowship (formerly First Southern Baptist Church) in Ferris, but in their later years had been attending services at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County in Waxahachie.
John is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Sue Turner, son Dennis Turner, parents John H., Sr and Rui Turner, and sister Mildred Turner.
John is survived by his son Terry and wife Nancy of College Station, grandchildren Melody Allen and husband Donny of Waxahachie, Xan Turner of Dallas, Hamilton Turner of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ty Turner of College Station, step grandchildren Greg Campbell of Riesel, Russell Campbell of Navasota, and Nannette Campbell of Sherman, sister Mayfair Mullican of Ferris, sister Faye Colquitt of Arlington, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 2:00 - 7:00 PM Monday, August 3, 2020 at Green Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Green Funeral Home. Interment with U.S. Navy Honors to immediately follow at Ferris Memorial Park North, Ferris, Texas. Bro. Darrell Beggs officiating.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ferris Memorial Park North Cemetery Association: P.O. Box 292 Ferris, Texas 75125
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