James Turner

Passed Away on February 6, 2016

James Turner Obituary

James A. Turner Sr., 91, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2016 in Mesa, AZ. Born in Quinton, Oklahoma, our Dad was an Okie & Sooner fan through and through. He grew up during the great depression and farming was his family’s trade. He never lost the love of the land and continued to grow his favorite vegetables, okra, turnip greens, & tomatoes out in his backyard. Although he enjoyed gardening, he often said his fingers still hurt just thinking about cotton, one of their staple crops. Dad was a WWII veteran, a man’s man, and he loved and respected his country. He was disciplined in every way- you could see it in his devotion to his wife and family, work ethics, care of his home and his personal dress. You never saw a hair out of place on his head or a wrinkle in his clothes- he was up and ready to tackle the world at the crack of dawn! And just like Dad- everything he owned looked brand new even if it was 20 years old- he was the king of maintaining both himself and his home. He had a long and fruitful career working for Phelps Dodge as a heavy equipment mechanic. His love of machinery transferred over into automobiles and a passion for the sport of racing. It was a family past time- Sprint Cars, NASCAR, Indy cars, you name it- he followed it and it was a family affair. When he retired, he continued full throttle traveling to see family, camping, racing events, dirt bike riding in the dunes, he lived his life fully right up to the last minute. Although we will miss Dad dearly, he was blessed with a long, healthy, rich life surrounded by a family who loved him. Truly a life well lived! Survived by his son James A. Turner Jr., grandson Beau James Turner, great granddaughter, Natalie Rene Turner, sister, Leta Polson, and his two brothers, Bill Turner & Ed Turner. Visitation Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., followed by the funeral service, 10:30 a.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85207.