Henry Ray Mitchell Turner of Muskogee, Oklahoma

March 12, 1935 - April 9, 2017

Mr. Henry Ray Mitchell Turner, in his 82nd year, passed from this life on Sunday, April 9, 2017 from Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Henry Ray Mitchell Turner was born March 12 1935, in Monroe, Louisiana to Evelyn Mitchell and Andrew C Mitchell. At the age of 17 he was adopted by Daniel H Turner. He finished high school in Wiesbaden Germany at the HH Arnold high school, where he made many life-long friends and experienced many adventures throughout Europe.

 

He returned to Oklahoma and began his college career at Northeastern State University, but was quickly turned to a military path with the onset of the Vietnam War. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and soon travelled the world. Vietnam, Thailand then back across to the States to be stationed in Alaska, Texas and then across the pond to England. It is here that he met the love of his life. Margaret Anne Campbell came into his life by chance and started a romance that would take 7 years to turn into marriage. Soon after, the newlyweds came to the states and welcomed a bouncing baby girl. Danielle was the apple of Henry's eye and many times as you saw Henry, Danielle would be following along in his shadow.

 

Henry retired from the military to raise his daughter in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the small town he called home from the age of 2. He continued his education at Connors State College and then on to Northeastern State, where he gained a double bachelor's in psychology and sociology. He took these talents and began working for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Henry started at the children's center in Taft and when it converted to Jess Dunn correctional facility for men, he continued working there. Throughout the years, he held several positions; case manager, assistant warden and warden to name a few. He retired from there at the age of 62 for health reasons. But he did not stop there.

 

He was very civic minded and had joined the Scottish rite masons in England, but he soon found his true passion in the Muskogee Noon Lions Club. Many times, you could see him parking and walking down the street, stopping in at businesses either with pancake breakfast raffles or looking for glasses donations or selling light bulbs. He held several positions within the club and enjoyed his Cowboys lunch date every third Wednesday.

 

He also loved his family and friends and made sure that they knew it. Living far away from many of them he made frequent calls and made sure to attend family reunions and school reunions wherever they may be. Even after he was no longer able to drive, he'd get Margaret to gas up the car and hit the road. His laughter is something that no one will forget nor is gap toothed grin.

He is preceded in death by his mother Evelyn Mitchell Turner, his fathers, Andrew C Mitchell and Daniel H Turner, and his wife Margaret Turner.

 

He leaves his daughter Danielle Jardine of Clearwater, Florida, son in law, Alan Jardine, grandson, Andrew Jardine, granddaughter, Skye Jardine, his son, Anthonia May, of Gulfport,Mississippi, daughter in law, Tawanna May, granddaughters, Akia May and Kearia May, a sister, Diane Turner Williams, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a brother, Jonathan Turner of Muskogee and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 10:00 AM in the Grace Episcopal Church.  Father Bob Wickizer will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Fort Gibson National Cemetery at 11:00 A.M.

You may visit Mr. Turner on Monday from 12 Noon until 6:00 PM at the funeral home.

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