Jay R Turner

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Celebrating the life of
Jay R TurnerFebruary 02, 1929 - August 08, 2009

Jay R Turner
February 2, 1929 – August 8, 2009

Jay R Turner, son of the late JR Turner and Alice Gerstel Turner as well as loving stepfather James C. Turner of Middlesoboro, Ky., died August 8 at Candler Hospital in Savannah surrounded by his adoring family.

Jay was first and foremost the devoted patriarch of a unique, complicated and loving family who distinguished himself in Savannah and the southeast as a successful homebuilder and real estate developer and respected community leader during a career that spanned more than 50 years. He was the Vice Chairman of the Savannah Airport Commission and the only three-term appointee to the Savannah Airport Commission, a former appointee to the Savannah Historic District Board of Review, a member of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, a member and former member of the board of directors at the Savannah Golf Club, a member of the Savannah Yacht Club and a member of the Savannah Homebuilders Association.

In his youth in Middlesboro, he was a celebrated record-setting athlete who starred in football, baseball as well as track and field and earned entry into the Middlesboro Sports Hall of Fame and received a football scholarship to Georgetown College Georgetown, Ky.. Following college, Jay escaped Kentucky's cold winters to begin his career in Savannah and ultimately founded Jay R. Turner and Associates, developing a reputation as a loyal friend and savvy businessman with an unmatched work ethic.

Jay is survived by wife Martha Traver Turner, daughters Jan Turner Warren Charlie of Richmond Hill, Julie Turner Farmer Ben, Martha Turner Watson Bill, stepson Stephen Elmo Weeks, III Ruth all of Savannah, sister Jenna Turner Welch Troy and half-brother James C. Turner Linda of Middlesboro, Ky., grandchildren Charlie Warren, Jr. Melissa, Lance Warren, Lysa Warren Ferguson Mike, Haley Watson, Turner Watson, Connor Watson of Atlanta, Grace Phillips, Maggie Weeks and Jack Weeks all of Savannah. He is also survived by a multitude of devoted and admiring great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August, 12, 2009, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension.

Interment will follow in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery.

Pall bearers for the service will be Charlie Warren, Charlie Warren, Jr., Mike Ferguson, Bill Watson, Stephen Weeks, III, Ben Farmer and Jay Welch. Honorary pall bearers will be Norton Melaver, The Hon. Floyd Adams, Jr., Rupert "Buddy" Martin, Walter Bowden, Edward Cohen, The Hon. Pete Liakakis, Ray Crawley, Lance Warren, The Hon. Avant B. Edenfield, Lawrence R. "Bubba" Daiss, Billy Freeman, Stanley M. Karsman, Aron G. Weiner, John O'Neil and the members of the Savannah Airport Commission.

Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6600 Abercorn St., Suite 206, Savannah, GA 31406.

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GUEST BOOK

Jan, Julie, and Martha, I am so sorry to hear about the death of your father and husband. You are all in my prayers and thoughts. I'm sorry that I can't be at the service.

- Suzanne Cornwell Renick, Big Canoe, GA

With our sincerist heartfelt love and with our deepest sympathy to the entire family of Jay R Turner. With love and prayers, Bobbie Bisceglia and Darrell and Mary Susan Hale

- Bobbie Bisceglia/Mary Susan Hale, Middlesboro, KY

Martha and family, I am thinking of you today and wishing you comfort and peace. Remember the good times. - Margaret

- Margaret Brown, Silver Spring, MD

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

- Damon and Jackie Frost, Gainesville, GA

So sorry for your loss and our prayers are with you. Brenda, Billy, Maggie Loven

- Brenda Loven, Savannah, GA

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

- Kika Caparisos, Savannah, GA

Julie and Ben, I'm very sorry for your loss. I only got to know your dad for a short time last year at Ben's office. He shared with me some of his many accomplishments and treated me like a member of his inner circle. We talked about his college football days and Paul 'Bear' Bryant, we talked about developing the Statesboro Mall, we talked about him being a Kentucky Colonel and many other of his adventures. He was just probably the most intriguing person that I had the pleasure to meet and chat with. I know this is a hard time for you both,but just try to remember that when we are absent from this temperal body, we are immediately present with God.....eternally. Your friend

- Peter E. Higgins, Rincon, GA

MARTHA, WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. SALLY AND HERB SANDERS

- SALLY AND HERB, Savannah, GA

I am sorry I could not be there. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Please know that if I was able to attend I would. I love all of you very much.

- Lance Turner Warren, Savannah, GA

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

- Jeanne & Guerry Conrade, Savannah, GA

Jay Turner was a positive, fun and caring man. I will miss his passion for Kentucky athletics, and his take on life-He was an advocate for what he believed and a lovely man. He will be missed. Julie and family- my thoughts and prayer are with you. DZ

- Debbi Zepp, Savannah, GA

Jan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember how close you were to your father. I know how hard it is to lose someone you love so much. Your love for him and his for you will help you threw the difficult days ahead. Kristi

- Kristi Odom, Guyton, GA

Jay has been my friend for a long time. I will miss him and never forget the good times we had watching our kids grow up and play sports together at SCDS. He was always one of the nicest Dads there! His family should be very proud of him, as he lived a good life and was a good man.

- Brian Foster, Savannah, GA