Roger Lee Turner, originally a resident in Medina, OH for 30 years, and currently residing in the beautiful horse country of North Central Florida, died peacefully on January 26th after a sudden bout with cancer.
Roger was born in Clay County West Virginia in August of 1947 and is proceeded in death by his Mother, Mida Mae Turner, Father, Victor Lee Turner, Sister, Marita Anderson (Kermit), and Brother’s, Ray Turner and Charles Turner (Jane).
Roger leaves behind his Wife, best friend and travel buddy of 12 years, Lorraine Turner, also from Medina, OH, and Daughter Cara Kirkland, the love of his life, and raised by her Dad while he served almost 22 years in the Air Force, along with a Granddaughter, Kendall Kirkland. He also leaves behind another Daughter, Rae Lynn Kennon, and two more Granddaughters. He will be greatly missed by several loving Sisters, Ann Whinery (David), Charlotte Jean Chandler (Gene), Carolyn Sue Turner, and many Nieces and Nephews.
Roger proudly served his Country during the Vietnam War after training in Blytheville, AR, Seymour Johnson, NC and Fort Campbell, KY. He served in security as Air Police at Wright-Patterson Air Force base in OH, Roger then went on to train in Air Traffic Control (ATC) in MS. He served as ATC in WA, GA, 4 years in the Azores, Italy, and back to AR, followed by a tour in Korea. He finally served as ATC in SC and Honorably retired in Wichita Falls, TX, as a MSgt.
Roger grew up on the family farm in WV during hard times and lived a simple life. After proudly serving his country, he loved to work hard and play harder. He had several jobs in carpentry, manufacturing and medical equipment, and finally ended up working for Doyle Anderson for 20 years at Anderson Landscaping, a well-known Medina Company. They were responsible for the beautiful outdoor pond project back in 2006 and years of landscaping at the famous Medina landmark restaurant, The Corkscrew Saloon. This eventually would be the meeting place where Roger and Lorraine started their relationship in October of 2010. He had previously purchased an RV, and after finding his perfect traveling companion, they began a wonderful life of adventure together. They both worked and traveled, and eventually, they started living in Key West for 5 months a year during the winter months until Hurricane Irma in 2017. They shocked their families and friends when they sold their house that year and traveled full time in their Tiffin Red Motor home until settling down in their cottage making Florida their home in 2020. Roger will be greatly missed by family and many folks that he became friends with from all over the country.
There will be no public funeral services held, per Roger’s wishes. There will be a private ceremony at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with Full Honors for the immediate family. Upon the return of Roger’s wife to Medina at a later date, there will be a private gathering of close friends to celebrate his life. Location TBD.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made directly to his wife, Lorraine Turner, for expenses incurred during his care and getting him home to Medina for burial.