Bobby “Bob” Gene Turner was born in Kennett, Missouri on October 4, 1938 to Evelyn and Frank Turner and passed from this earth on January 11, 2021 at the White River Regional Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Rita of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; his son Michael and wife Lynn of Lansing, Michigan and their children; his two daughters, Christine Mills and Linda Sue Turner of Richmond, Virginia; his brother Jerry of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; his sisters Judy Smith of Thayer, Missouri, Patricia Welch and Jan Wood both of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18 in May 1957 and served honorably and with distinction for 20 years, retiring in June 1977 attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served two tours in Vietnam, one in the Air Force’s Military Police Corps and the other as an instructor in the Small Arms Marksmanship Training Unit (SAMTU).
After retiring from the Air Force, Bob worked in a variety of jobs, including as a prison guard, a police officer and security guard. His last job was as a guard at Southwest Truck Body.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and everything connected to nature. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Graveside services for Bobby Gene Turner will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with Erman Croney officiating.
Burial will be on Thursday, January 14, 2021 in Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association. Donations may be left at the funeral home.
January 13, 2021 @ 4:08 pm
I’m gonna miss you uncle Bob. I’m proud to have had you as an uncle!
January 13, 2021 @ 4:10 pm
I’m gonna miss you uncle Bob. I’m proud to have had you for an uncle!
January 15, 2021 @ 9:08 am
Our prayers go out to the entire Turner family.
Mike and Sheila
January 13, 2021 @ 4:46 pm
We were saddened to hear this news and extend our sympathy to his family and friends. We appreciate his many years of service to our country. Rest in peace, Bob.
January 13, 2021 @ 6:55 pm
I’m gonna miss you uncle Bob. I’m very proud to have had you as an uncle. I will keep a lot of fond memories from over the years. Rest in peace uncle Bob!
January 13, 2021 @ 6:57 pm
I’m gonna miss you uncle Bob. I’m very proud to have you as an uncle. I will keep a lot of fond memories of you. Rest in peace uncle Bob!
January 14, 2021 @ 2:55 pm
So very sorry to hear about Bob. He will surely be missed by his many friends. We surely all appreciate his many years of service to our country. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
January 16, 2021 @ 8:48 am
So very sorry to hear about Bob. My sympathy to all family members.
January 16, 2021 @ 8:51 am
So very sorry to hear about Bob. My sympathy to each of you.
January 16, 2021 @ 10:44 am
If you are under 30 in our family, in your keepsake box you most likely have a key chain or necklace made from a bullet. Almost like a right of passage that we will all treasure and hold a little tighter now. A remembrance of sitting on his knee while he taught us how to make a bullet.
I’ve been crying at the thought of never being able to enjoy his deer jerky anymore. Only comforted by the thought of knowing how he shared so many of his hobbies and interests with my brother. Maybe we will one day taste that deer jerky again.
Years from now when I have grandchildren, I will hold them upside down so they can walk along the ceiling, then we will sit and enjoy our root beer and banana popsicles. I will tell them how when I was a little girl, my grandpa and I use to do the same thing.