Obituary of James "J.C." Carl Turner

James Carl Turner was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on December 27, 1937.   He was the son of the late Billie and Lizzie (Tennyson) Turner.   James attended Middlesboro High School through eleventh grade when he left to support his mother working as a mechanic for $5 per day.  

JC worked as a Teamsters Local 20 truck driver.   He was extremely proud of his occupation and his commitment to safety driving over one million miles without a chargeable accident and receiving numerous safe driving awards.   He was employed by Suburban Motor Freight, Carolina, and retired from ABF of Toledo in 1998.    JC married the love of his life the former Hazel Chambers on August 25, 1968 in Toledo.

He loved Bluegrass music often visiting festivals with Hazel from Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom in Indiana to KC Campground in Milan to the SPIGLA awards show in Nashville.   He enjoyed collecting coins, watching old Westerns, Gunsmoke, and his beloved Detroit Tigers.   

JC was very handy, an excellent mechanic he often wrenched on cars having every tool imaginable.   He was known for his sweet tooth.   JC was a kind man with a good sense of humor, JC never had a cross word to say.   He loved family get togethers never wanting them to end. 

JC, age 79, of Monroe passed away unexpectedly at FountainView of Monroe on Thursday, August 3, 2017.   In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by sons:  Gary Turner and Gary Cosby; a brother:  Lavern Turner; a sister:  Betty Treece and grandson Dawson Turner-McQuinn

To cherish his memory he leaves his wife of forty-nine years:  Hazel; six sons:  James (Karen) Turner Jr. of Monroe, Clyde Cosby of Ypsilanti, Larry Cosby of Erie, Danny Turner of Newport, Jeff (Concetta) Cosby of Monroe, Jerry (Doreen) Cosby of Rochester Hills; three daughters:  Jamie Turner of Avon, Indiana, Kim Vandenberg of Trenton, Loretta (Ray) Yuergens of Avon; a special daughter-in-law:  Nancy Cosby of Monroe; two sisters:  Helen Treece and Mildred Grassley both of Monroe; nineteen grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather from 2:00pm-8:00pm on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Merkle Funeral Service; South Monroe, 14567 South Dixie (734) 241-7070.   A Celebration of His Life will be held at 11:00am on Monday, August 7, 2017 also at Merkle’s with Pastor Roy Southerland officiating.   Procession will follow to Roselawn.

Memorials are suggested to Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.   Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.