Jesse Ray Turner

Jesse Ray Turner, 82, former Altus resident, died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 with his family by his side at his Norman, Oklahoma home. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, July 13, 2012 at the First Assembly of God with Rev. David White presiding. Burial will follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home. He was born on November 25, 1929 in Pickton, Texas to James W. and Jewel Ollie Turner. He attended Altus schools and Altus Junior College. He married Geneva Irene Taylor on November 5, 1948. He began his newspaper career for the Altus Times-Democrat as a paper boy on December 7, 1941. Over the next fifty years, he held several positions at the newspaper including press operator, production manager, and he retired in 1995 as advertising sales director. He was a long-time member of the First Assembly of God Church in Altus, where he served as the church secretary and treasurer. He was also actively involved in many community and philanthropic projects including the Chamber of Commerce, Altus Noon Lions Club, Salvation Army, ACMI House, United Way, and Red Cross. After he moved to Norman in 2002, he joined Capitol Hill Assembly of God in Oklahoma City, where he enjoyed the senior's ministry and Sunday school class. He is survived by his daughter, Linda McLennan of Norman; his son, Larry Turner and wife, Ann, of Edmond; his granddaughter, Stacy Morey and her husband, Robert, of Norman; grandsons, Jonathan Turner and wife, Christie, of Windsor, Colorado, and Christopher Turner and wife, Yang, of Edmond; his beloved great-grandchildren, Harrison and Christian Morey, Jordan and Evan Turner, and Isabel Turner. He also leaves behind his brother, David Turner and wife, Iva, of Altus; sisters-in-law, Mae Morehead and Leona Taylor, and many much-loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Geneva Turner; his parents; sisters, Marie Gresham and Ada Lou McCoy; and brothers, James Wilford Turner, Daniel Turner, and Valton Turner. Jesse loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren above all else. He will forever be remembered for his devotion to his family and to his faith. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday, July 12, 2012 at the funeral home.