Robert Turner

Robert “Bob” Turner, age 90, joined loved ones in Heaven on Friday, February 26, 2021 following over a month long hospitalization due to Covid 19. Robert was born in Granby, MO to Berry Daniel and Alta Pearl (Hance) Turner and was raised on their farm in rural Missouri. He married the love of his life, Georgia Mae Gailey, on July 18, 1951 in Arkansas. To their union, two sons were born, John and Richard. They moved to Miami, OK shortly after John was born. They were longtime faithful members of the Miami Church of Christ. Robert worked as a cross country truck driver, milk deliverer, mechanic, and school bus driver among other trades in his early working years, then joined the City of Miami Fire Department in 1958. He was promoted to Fire Chief in 1979. During his tenure at the City, he obtained his Associate’s degree and taught many classes in safety and fire prevention across the state. He retired from the Fire Department in 1985. Robert was a hardworking man and he soon became bored with his hobbies of golfing, woodworking and gardening. He returned to work part-time at a friend’s gas station, then joined the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and retired a second time in 2018. Robert’s work life was both a reward and a joy to him, he earned much gratitude and respect from those with whom he worked over his lifetime. Robert was known as a kind, loving, compassionate Christian family man, a friend who was always willing to lend a hand to help others. As his youngest granddaughter said, “Grandpa was the sweetest man ever!” Robert will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 69 1/2 years, Georgia Turner; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Dee Turner of Ponca City, OK, his daughter-in-law, Patty Turner of Yucca Valley, CA; granddaughter, Cora Pryor of Miami, OK; granddaughter and spouse, Meredith and Craig Willis of Ponca City, OK; granddaughter and spouse, Jennifer and Jason Rollins of Guleph, ON; granddaughter, Heather Sigafose of Hubert, NC; and 8 great-grandchildren: Jaymee, Caitlyn, Meghan, Raven, Seth, Ally, Madison, and Emelia. Our family is immensely grateful for friends and church family who visited and assisted Robert and Georgia over the past few years.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, son John Turner, granddaughter Amy Jo Turner, great-grandchildren Rebecca Lee Morgan and Robert Cole Morgan, and siblings, Eldon Turner, Retha Dunn and Lavina Tobey.

Cremation has been effected through Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In his memory, the family requests that everyone obtain the Covid vaccination to prevent further losses to this terrible disease. Contributions in Robert’s memory may also be made to the Miami Church of Christ, 124 B St NW, Miami, OK 74354.

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