Jack Leon Turner, Jr., 79, of El Dorado, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock surrounded by family. He was born on October 13, 1943 to Jack Leon Turner, Sr. and Marguerite Smith Turner in Bossier City, Louisiana at Barksdale Field Air Force Base.
Preceding him in death are his parents; his niece Rebecca; and the love of his life, Hope Harrington Turner.
Survivors include his daughter, Stephanie Turner; sons, Justin Turner, Joshua Turner (Jessica); brother, Robert Turner; sister, Janice Turner Hughes; grandchildren, Liam Mantooth, Aidan Mantooth, Lily Hope Turner; niece, Natalie Hughes, nephews, Adam Hughes, Chance Hughes (Kathy); great nieces, Lucy and Tillie Hughes; and great nephew, Leon Hughes.
Jack finished high school in El Dorado, AR and went to earn his Bachelors Degree at Hendrix College. He completed Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI where he met his future wife, Hope. They moved to Pensacola, Florida where completed flight school and then was stationed in San Diego, CA and served his country for two tours of duty during the Vietnam War where he was stationed on the USS Enterprise and the USS Kitty Hawk. He was awarded a bronze star for his service and many other commendations. He was honorably discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant in 1969.
He was the definition of a “jack of all trades”. After his military service, he and Hope and their two small children moved to Rhode Island where his third child was born. He worked in management positions in different fields and as a jewelry designer. He used his background in the oil industry and worked on an offshore drilling rig. In 1985 he earned a Masters degree in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design.
He moved back to his hometown of El Dorado and became a familiar face around town, he enjoyed stopping at Timmins Hardware, Tiger Harry’s, Antoon’s Jewelers, the barbershop and PJ’s and Andy’s. He was an active member of the local AA chapter and went to many meetings over the past 36 years and helped many people along the way. He knew a little about many subjects and could talk to friends and strangers alike about any topic. He was funny with a sharp sense of humor, a storyteller, he was generous and kind. He always kept in touch with his children that still lived on the East Coast and was a wonderful uncle to his niece and nephews that lived close by.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at the Young’s Chapel with a visitation at 10:00 A.M., prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to Disabled Veterans of America, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
