Larry Gene Turner

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.

Psalm 116:15

               Larry Gene Turner was many things. But one thing he was not was afraid. Through his prayer life, he experienced peace of mind as he courageously fought for two and a half years through his cancer treatments. He was a son, faithful husband of 58 years to Marlene, proud father of four sons (Brad, Bryan, Jeff, and Chad), loyal friend to many, long-lost brother to Steve, Eagle Scout, Scout Master, airman in the United States Air Force, sales and marketing professional, small airplane pilot, avid reader, traveler, golfer, hunter and fisherman, entrepreneur, and – perhaps most unexpectedly but certainly inspiring to family and friends – a mystery novel author, writing Un-Solicited Confession under pen name Gene Gerber.

               Above all, Larry was a disciple of Jesus Christ, whom he served in multiple ways, including as an ordained acolyte in the Catholic Church, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus, counselor for engaged couples with Marlene, member of a small Bible study group for over 40 years, and an active volunteer for North Texas SNAP (Special Needs Assistance Partners).

               Larry, born in Fulton, Missouri, had the pleasure of standing along the parade route when Sir Winston Churchill visited Fulton and gave his famous “Iron Curtain” speech. Larry was raised in Louisville, Kentucky by his mother Lorraine and his adopted father, Army Sgt. Donald Turner. He graduated from Valley High School in 1958 and then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1959 under the Buddy Program. After boot camp, he served as a radio operator while stationed in the Azores guiding aircraft to safe take-offs and landings. He literally escaped to Canada at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. No, he didn’t go AWOL! While stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, he served as Scoutmaster of the base’s Boy Scout troop. He had previously planned a camping trip for the troop to Canada. Larry asked for a leave but was initially denied. Undeterred, he called the colonel whose son was a member of the troop. The boys had a lot of fun in Canada and Larry remained a supporter of the military and men and women in uniform for the rest of his life.

               On a sunny day in May 1959 in Denver’s City Park, he met Marlene, then a student at Colorado Women’s College. Mom says it was something about his blue eyes that caused her to accept his offer for a date. They married on December 29, 1962. Larry would go on to study at North Dakota State University where he earned a bachelor degree in agricultural economics. While working full time and being a father of three, he marched further up the academic scale by earning a MBA from St. Cloud State University. After several moves, the Turner family in 1977 settled in Hurst, Texas from Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1981, Chad was born and completed the family photograph being the first native Texan in the Turner family tree.

               Larry utterly enjoyed being Chad’s Special Olympics golf partner. He and Chad joined the Knights of Columbus together. What brought him equal pleasure was working side by side with Chad as they founded and grew Chad’s Shredd’N Service, which was featured in the Fort Worth Star telegram, local ABC news, and Doug Dunbar’s Texans with Character on our local CBS channel.  Dad always remembered with pride watching Chad introduce himself and his company at the monthly meetings for the Chambers of Commerce and Euless Small Business Association.

               Larry is survived by his wife Marlene, sons Chad, Jeff and spouse Zoraida, Bryan, Brad and spouse Susan, brother Steve, and brother-in-law Ken. He is blessed with fourteen grandchildren: Liugj, Paula, Gianna, Sarah (deceased), Scott, Julia and spouse Stephen, Jacob, Christopher, Crystal, Charity, Mark and spouse Taylor, Anna, Katherine and Sydney. He will be missed by all who knew him.

               In lieu of flowers, the Turner family would ask you to consider contributing to North Texas SNAP www.ntxsnap.org; the American Heart Association www.heart.org, or Mary Crowley Cancer Research www.marycrowley.org.

               The Mass will be livestreamed from St. Michael's website, www.smcchurch.org. Look for the " Mass Live Streamed" section on the home page for either YouTube of Facebook. You can also reach the livestream links via the church's funeral page, www.smcchurch.org/funerals

               There will be a private family burial ceremony at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. This service will be livestreamed for the public. The stream will begin at 1:15 pm on March 2nd from the Forest Ridge Funeral Home Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/207691985974899/ or click the Facebook link in the top right corner of the funeral home website's homepage.

Forest Ridge Funeral Home

8525 Mid Cities Boulevard

North Richland Hills, TX 76182

St. Michael Catholic Church

3713 Harwood Road

Bedford, TX 76021

Due to inclement weather, services have been re-scheduled.  The new service schedule is listed below.  Thank you for your understanding, and kindness in support of the Turner family during this difficult time.