Born: January 30, 1928 – Died: June 25, 2009 (aged: 81yrs)
Section F, Row 5, Lot 54
James was born on January 30, 1928 in Fort Spunky, Texas. His parents were James Buchanan and Katie Chula Daniels Turner. He was married in 1948 to Mary Katherine Witherspoon. James enlisted in the navy at the age of 18 and served two tours on the USS Jason. During his military service he met and became great friends with Frank Hatley of North Carolina. After the service the two men lost contact with each other and were recently reunited by James’ son Jimmy. He traveled to Washington, D.C. with fellow veterans on the Ellis County Honor Flight in November of 2008. He was proud of his time in service to his country and his Lord.
James worked for 35 years with Alderdyce Cabinets after which he semi-retired into the field of Fire Safety where he worked almost continuously until shortly before his death. James was good with his hands, and could fix anything he put his mind to. James was involved with South Prong Baptist Church where he worshiped his Father on Sundays with his friends Larry Sinor, Johnny Robertson, Bill Robertson and Charlie Hogan in a group they named Five for Him.
He was survived by his beloved, Betty Davis of Waxahachie, his siblings Lu Kelly, Katy Hall, Benjamin “Bud” Turner, and Francis Carpenter and their spouses and families, his children Jimmy Ray Turner, Dena Ann Barnaby and Kaysa Johnson and their spouses, his grandchildren Kena Long-Jordan, Shannon Turner, Jacob Turner, James Kennedy, Ricky Barnaby II, Catherine Jane “CJ” Barnaby, and his great-grandchildren Spenser and Keagan Long-Jordan, Miah, Jeremiah and Mystery Johnson and Jayden Barnaby.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary, his son Tommy Lee Turner and his daughter Cathy Marie Kennedy and his sisters Ruby Nell, Mizana Lu, Eddie May and Merry Sue.