Jerry R Turner

Jerry R. Turner, 71, of Columbia went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 6, 2017 at Maury Regional Medical Center due to an extended illness. He was under the care of Hospice Compassus. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Mike Kesler, Bobby Sands, and Doug Burgess officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Good Shepherd. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to West Seventh Street Church of Christ, 405 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Monroe Carrell, Jr. Children's Hospital, 2200 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37232. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.Jerry was born in Columbia, Tennessee on November 29, 1945. He was educated in Maury County Public Schools and was a 1964 graduate of Hay Long High School in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee.He was a long-time member of West Seventh Street Church of Christ. He recently retired from Columbia Power and Water Systems with 48 years of service where he held the position of operating superintendent. He was instrumental in the maintenance of power and power line construction in Maury County. Jerry whole-heartedly loved his job and taking care of the system's customers. He served for nine years as a board member on the Maury County Board of Education. Mr. Turner was a 2014 recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award. Mayor Dean Dickey also proclaimed September 11, 2014 as Jerry Turner Day for his civic contributions to the Maury County Community. He was an avid Tennessee Walking Horse fan and enthusiast. Raising and training colts of this beautiful breed was his favorite hobby. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleo and Lucille Roberts Turner; siblings, C. W. Turner, Mable Turner, and Paul Turner. Survivors include his wife of 50 plus years, Suzanne West Turner; son, Mark Benjamin (Kim) Turner of Columbia; daughter, Andrea Lauren Turner (J.R.) Gillette of Spring Hill; grandson, John Reagan Gillette; brothers, George Edward (Joy) Turner of Columbia; sister, Ola May Simbeck of Athens,Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. Jerry was an extremely dedicated family man. He dearly loved his children, their spouses, and his one young grandson who was his delight and joy. John Reagan was such comfort to him as he fought his battle with sarcoma cancer. This wonderful man will be truly missed by his family and many friends. Active pallbearers will be Jim Bailey, Van Boshers, Mike Floyd, Mike Greene, Pat Greene, Dylan Hubbell, Jeff Parks, Kile Patrick, Dennis Turner, and Eddie Turner. Honorary pallbearers include Elders and Deacons of West Seventh Street Church of Christ, past and present employees of Columbia Power and Water Systems, Dr. Srikar Reddy and his nurse Melanie Marshall, Dr. Mark Hinson, Dr. Steven Nowlin and Staff, Dr. Andy Sisk, Dr. Joel Kochanski, Dr. Michael Sattasiri, Dr. Houston Jameson and nurses, and staff at Maury Regional Cancer Center. The family would like to extend a most sincere thank you to Karen Hyde, Maury Regional Palliative Care, Dr. Ben Gardner, Rita Pace, Caitlin Winters of Hospice Compassus and all of the nurses on the third floor of Maury Regional Medical Center for their efficient, constant, and devoted care of our loved one.