TURNER, CURTISS J.
MSgt Curtiss J. Turner departed this life on Saturday, July 21, 2012.
Curtiss was born in Vicksburg, MS on April 26, 1920 to Curtis and Jane Turner. 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. 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 Corps Recruiter in El Paso, TX, Farmington, NM and surrounding areas. During WWII, Curtiss served in the 3rd Raider Battalion in the Pacific Campaign. 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. He was a member of the TX Association of Former Marines in Houston, TX. He was a member of the Marine Corps League in Jackson, TN and Elks Lodge in Texas.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Turner and children, William Turner Fancher of Daphne, AL, Roger Turner of Houston, TX, Carleton Turner of Fredericksburg, TX, Susan Amos of Blanco, TX, Scott Turner of Elgin, TX; grandkids, Aldina 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; and one niece, Maryjane Grant of El Paso, TX.
Preceding Curtiss in death were 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.
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 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 Corps League, specifically the Jackson and Memphis Detachments. God especially bless you.
Shackelford Funeral Directors – Johnson Chapel