Ross B. Turkett

Ross B. Turkett met his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, with his loving family at his side. He was born in Marlow on April 7, 1938 to the late H.B. “Boss” and Lilly (Anthony) Turkett.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Saturday, Oct. 24, in the Whitt Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Josh Croswell officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home/Oakcrest Cremation Center.

Ross was a 1956 graduate of Marlow High School. He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for six years and, during that time served six months of active duty. Ross met the love of his life, Gena Fisher, and they were married on Nov. 27, 1959 in Marlow. To this union two sons - Michael and David - were born.

When the boys were young, he loved watching them participate in sports and even coached some of their Little League football, track, and basketball teams. Ross worked for 35-plus years in the meat market at Goodner’s as the market manager. He loved to visit and made friends with all the customers. After retiring from Goodner’s, he and Gena purchased and operated the Meridian Kwik Mark for a few years. Then he decided to work with his son David, operating a body shop from his own backyard. He also worked as a guard at Halliburton and made many more friends. Woodworking and fishing were hobbies he enjoyed.

Gena recalls him getting her up before dawn and traveling to one of our area lakes where they’d spend the day fishing and relaxing. They rarely spent a Saturday at home because they loved to jump in the car and go for a drive.

Over the past few years, his favorite pastime has been sitting on his porch, drinking coffee, and visiting with his neighbor, Jerry Phelps. Ross loved his family and he loved the Lord. He would nearly always find a way to tell others about Jesus. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Ross is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Gena; sons and daughters-in-law: Michael and Susan Turkett, David and Mindy Turkett; grandchildren: Tara and Larry Jackson, Alex and Luke Davis, Jude Turkett, Maren Turkett, Lyndsey and Halston Marshall, Brooke Ford, Connor Ellis, Cade Ellis; great grandchildren: Rush Jackson, Aayden Cobb, Madelyn Marshall; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Pat Turkett; sister, Kay Jones; and grandson, Dakota Turkett.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/donate.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.