1920
Curtiss
2012
Curtiss James Turner
April 26, 1920 — July 22, 2012
M-SGT CURTISS JAMES TURNER, USMC
Curtiss James Turner, departed this life on Saturday July 21, 2012. Curtiss was born in Vicksburg, MS on April 26, 1920, to Curtis and Jane Turner.
His parents-father was from Marion, IL and mother was from Jackson, TN.; Jackson, TN in earlier years was known as a railroad town. His maternal grandfather, Capt. E.P. “Pat†Lister, was a passenger conductor on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad (reportedly had given Casey Jones his first job on the railroad). A distant paternal relative was Gen. John A. Logan, commander in Chief of Grand Army of the Republic, designated May 30, 1968, as Decoration Day. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday, celebrated on the last Monday in May.
At the early age of nine, after school was out in Vicksburg, he would spend the summer months in Jackson, TN with his beloved Cousin Claude Goodman (a railroad man-a switchman) and his wife Nannie Kate. A train boarding pass would allow Curtiss to travel to various locations-one location St. Louis, MO, to baseball games. Curtiss loved other sports-watching boxing (Golden Gloves) basketball, fishing, football and track.
Aunt Ora Sanders from Linden, TN was one of his favorite relatives and enjoyed visiting her throughout his lifetime. Curtiss was driving a Model-T at 12 years of age.
Curtiss was a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church in Vicksburg, MS (was baptized at 13 years of age).
Curtiss enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 11, 1941. Boot Camp was completed in San Diego, CA. In 1942 he served in the Pacific Campaign 26 months-Guam, New Caledonia (where he first joined the Raiders) and Bougainville. In 1957 he became a Marine Corp Recruiter in El Paso, TX, Farmington, NM and surrounding areas. Many awards were received as “Outstanding Recruiter†and “Good Conductâ€. He enjoyed oversea tour duty in China and Japan.
During WWII Curtiss served in the 3rd Raider Battalion in the Pacific Campaign. A “3rd Raiders-USMC†tattoo is located on his left arm (near his heart). Curtiss didn’t have a sibling brother; in the Marines he had a true family of brothers. Once a Marine, always a Marine – The Few, the Proud – Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) even through to the end.
Campaign awards received: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic – Pacific, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal.
Between 1965 to 1968 Curtiss helped start the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX. Several years later, Curtiss was employed at the Texas Health Department.
Curtiss loved gun shows where he made many friends (and met former Marines). He was a member of the TX Association of Former Marines in Houston, TX, where he developed a lifetime friendship with Don Williams and Tom Kiker (truly a bond closer than brothers. He was a member of the Marine Corp League in Jackson, TN and Elks Lodge in Texas.
Since 1999 home has been in Henderson, TN.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Turner, and children: William Turner Fancher of Daphne, AL; Roger Turner Houston, TX; Carleton Turner of Fredericksburg, TX; Susan Amos of Blanco, TX; Scott Turner of Elgin, TX; and one niece – Maryjane Grant of El Paso, TX.
Preceding Curtiss in death was three children, Eddy Fancher of AL; Claude Turner of TX; and Curtiss Turner, Jr of TX. Two sisters preceded him in death: Jane Thornton of El Paso, TX; and Nannie Louise Turner (1917-1918 – buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Jackson, TN).
Grandkids; Alaina Fancher McDonald, April Fancher McDonald, Lori Lee Turner, Dylan Kiss, Ryan Chrastina, Georgia Turner, Brooke Turner, Jessica Gonzales and Matt Winrow, Jonathan Logan Amos, Marshall Turner, Shannon Turner, Savannah Turner, Taylor Vardell and Pat Vardell and also five great grandkids.
A special beloved family – Randy, Stephanie and Tyrus Meadows – was always there for us when needed – even at 2:00 a.m. in the morning. Randy, you were truly a son to Curtiss.
Special thanks to Stacy Loraditch, Stephanie Hill, and Kelvin Mercer for your care and compassion and West TN Hospice. Your ministry was truly a blessing in our time of need. May God richly bless you.
Military Funeral Services will be held at the Shackelford Funeral Directors – Johnson Chapel, 619 East Main Street, Henderson, TN Kelvin Mercer (Hospice Chaplain) will be in charge of services. Special music will be provided by Frank Bell.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 25, 2012. Interment will be at Pisgah Cemetery in Henderson, TN.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Research, the Kidney Foundation, or the American Heart Association.
Curtiss lived passionately and well. He died hard with fortitude and pride. GUNG HO and SEMPER FI Marine! God bless the 3rd Raiders –USMC!
OOH – RAH !!
Special thanks to the Marine Corp League specifically the Jackson and Memphis Detachments. God especially bless you.
Shackelford Funeral Directors – Johnson Chapel
Henderson, TN
731-989-2624
Curtiss James Turner, departed this life on Saturday July 21, 2012. Curtiss was born in Vicksburg, MS on April 26, 1920, to Curtis and Jane Turner.
His parents-father was from Marion, IL and mother was from Jackson, TN.; Jackson, TN in earlier years was known as a railroad town. His maternal grandfather, Capt. E.P. “Pat†Lister, was a passenger conductor on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad (reportedly had given Casey Jones his first job on the railroad). A distant paternal relative was Gen. John A. Logan, commander in Chief of Grand Army of the Republic, designated May 30, 1968, as Decoration Day. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday, celebrated on the last Monday in May.
At the early age of nine, after school was out in Vicksburg, he would spend the summer months in Jackson, TN with his beloved Cousin Claude Goodman (a railroad man-a switchman) and his wife Nannie Kate. A train boarding pass would allow Curtiss to travel to various locations-one location St. Louis, MO, to baseball games. Curtiss loved other sports-watching boxing (Golden Gloves) basketball, fishing, football and track.
Aunt Ora Sanders from Linden, TN was one of his favorite relatives and enjoyed visiting her throughout his lifetime. Curtiss was driving a Model-T at 12 years of age.
Curtiss was a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church in Vicksburg, MS (was baptized at 13 years of age).
Curtiss enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 11, 1941. Boot Camp was completed in San Diego, CA. In 1942 he served in the Pacific Campaign 26 months-Guam, New Caledonia (where he first joined the Raiders) and Bougainville. In 1957 he became a Marine Corp Recruiter in El Paso, TX, Farmington, NM and surrounding areas. Many awards were received as “Outstanding Recruiter†and “Good Conductâ€. He enjoyed oversea tour duty in China and Japan.
During WWII Curtiss served in the 3rd Raider Battalion in the Pacific Campaign. A “3rd Raiders-USMC†tattoo is located on his left arm (near his heart). Curtiss didn’t have a sibling brother; in the Marines he had a true family of brothers. Once a Marine, always a Marine – The Few, the Proud – Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) even through to the end.
Campaign awards received: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic – Pacific, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal.
Between 1965 to 1968 Curtiss helped start the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX. Several years later, Curtiss was employed at the Texas Health Department.
Curtiss loved gun shows where he made many friends (and met former Marines). He was a member of the TX Association of Former Marines in Houston, TX, where he developed a lifetime friendship with Don Williams and Tom Kiker (truly a bond closer than brothers. He was a member of the Marine Corp League in Jackson, TN and Elks Lodge in Texas.
Since 1999 home has been in Henderson, TN.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Turner, and children: William Turner Fancher of Daphne, AL; Roger Turner Houston, TX; Carleton Turner of Fredericksburg, TX; Susan Amos of Blanco, TX; Scott Turner of Elgin, TX; and one niece – Maryjane Grant of El Paso, TX.
Preceding Curtiss in death was three children, Eddy Fancher of AL; Claude Turner of TX; and Curtiss Turner, Jr of TX. Two sisters preceded him in death: Jane Thornton of El Paso, TX; and Nannie Louise Turner (1917-1918 – buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Jackson, TN).
Grandkids; Alaina Fancher McDonald, April Fancher McDonald, Lori Lee Turner, Dylan Kiss, Ryan Chrastina, Georgia Turner, Brooke Turner, Jessica Gonzales and Matt Winrow, Jonathan Logan Amos, Marshall Turner, Shannon Turner, Savannah Turner, Taylor Vardell and Pat Vardell and also five great grandkids.
A special beloved family – Randy, Stephanie and Tyrus Meadows – was always there for us when needed – even at 2:00 a.m. in the morning. Randy, you were truly a son to Curtiss.
Special thanks to Stacy Loraditch, Stephanie Hill, and Kelvin Mercer for your care and compassion and West TN Hospice. Your ministry was truly a blessing in our time of need. May God richly bless you.
Military Funeral Services will be held at the Shackelford Funeral Directors – Johnson Chapel, 619 East Main Street, Henderson, TN Kelvin Mercer (Hospice Chaplain) will be in charge of services. Special music will be provided by Frank Bell.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 25, 2012. Interment will be at Pisgah Cemetery in Henderson, TN.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Research, the Kidney Foundation, or the American Heart Association.
Curtiss lived passionately and well. He died hard with fortitude and pride. GUNG HO and SEMPER FI Marine! God bless the 3rd Raiders –USMC!
OOH – RAH !!
Special thanks to the Marine Corp League specifically the Jackson and Memphis Detachments. God especially bless you.
Shackelford Funeral Directors – Johnson Chapel
Henderson, TN
731-989-2624
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Curtiss James Turner, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 2
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors