Robert Lyle Turner

Born on March 9, 1926, in Kansas City, Kansas, Robert (Bob) passed away on December 12, 2017, in Garland, Texas, at age 91. 

Robert grew up in Kansas City and began working at age 6, first selling Time Magazine door-to-door, and then as a carhop at a drive-in at 10 years old. In high school he learned the machinist trade and went on to enjoy a variety of jobs which included designing luggage, production line setup, and building and maintenance of machinery. He relocated to Dallas, Texas in 1983 and then retired in 1988 at the age of 62.

He began studying the Bible in the early 1950’s with one of his three aunts who were Jehovah’s Witnesses and was baptized on May 26, 1951.  Over the years since then, he served in many capacities in the Christian Congregation, first as a Ministerial Servant and then for many years as an Elder.  After his retirement, he was able to spend much more time in the door-to-door ministry he loved with his Christian brothers and sisters, and had many encouraging experiences to share.  In his final years he was confined to his home due to illness, but enjoyed talking about the Kingdom to anyone who visited him.  Some of his close friends who visited him to encourage him said they felt like they received a shepherding call and were encouraged. 

On June 24, 1983, he and Winona were married in Dallas, Texas, and enjoyed more than 34 precious years together until his death. He loved to take driving vacations and explore nature and historical sites.

Among many hobbies, he delighted in fishing, gardening, traveling, and camping. He enjoyed growing organic tomatoes and playing the guitar.  He was a techie, loved gadgets, and started learning about computers after he retired.  He loved to use his computer skills to create items for his Christian brothers and sisters to use in the ministry, such as territory maps and small field service record notebooks.

Loving. Caring. Inquisitive. Generous. Patient. Robert will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Robert was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Nellie Walker, his brother, James Dillon Turner, and his sister, Joann Lea ‘Jo’ Schmotz. Those left to cherish fond memories include his wife, Winona, his brother-in-law, James Schmotz, nephew Tim Schmotz, his sons Cody and Ben Schmotz, his niece, Vanessa Heavner and husband Gregory, their daughters Ginny and Molly Heavner, his brother-in-law, Loyd Earl Schuerman and wife Mickey, many other extended family members, and a host of dear friends.

A Memorial Service for Robert will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4702 O’Banion Road, Garland, Texas 75043, on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jehovah’s Witnesses in Robert’s honor. Please visit JW.org for details.
 

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