Samuel Darwin Turner
Samuel Turner, 76, of Breckenridge passed away on June 19, 2020, in Fort Worth surround by his family. A memorial service for Mr. Turner will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020, in the Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with Charles West and J.C. Burt officiating. A private family burial on the family’s ranch in Necessity to follow under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home staff.
Samuel Darwin Turner was born on December 18, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, to Dorma Elmo and Ovella Turner. Shortly after his birth, the Turners moved out of Dallas and back to the family land in Necessity. Sam, or some knew him as Sammy, attended school in Breckenridge where he played football, a sport he continued to play in college until an unfortunate accident took him out of the game he loved. Sam went on to work at General Dynamics in Fort Worth. During this time he met his future wife and married Sue Turner on May 10, 1968. At this point, Sam decided he wanted to be out of the city and back on his family land. After returning to Necessity, Sam gained a job with R.E. Dye Manufacturing in Breckenridge. Sam and Sue settled down in Necessity and started their family: one son, Brad Turner, and a daughter, Tracey Harrison, both of Lipan. After his time with R.E. Dye, Sam worked for Triple S Dynamics in Breckenridge, then finished out his work career with Mitchell Energy, a company he worked with for 20 years.
Sam was a man that truly loved farming and ranching. He and Sue raised Beefmaster cattle for 52 years and became an icon to members of that association. Sam’s land, cattle, and family were his passions in life. He was a man that loved the Lord, loved learning, and loved being with his grandkids: Cole Turner of Big Spring, Cade Turner of Lipan, and Trent and Madison Harrison of Lipan.
During Sam’s life he became a faithful member for over 40 years of the Breckenridge Masonic Lodge and Fort Worth Scottish Rite. He was a man of his word and lived by the idea of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.
For the last part of Sam’s life, he suffered from a setback in his health and was limited on what he could do. However, one thing remained constant: his love for his family, his land, and the Lord. He cherished the time he had with all of these and left a mark that can never be erased. His infinite knowledge on life will definitely be missed by all. Sam passed on June 19, 2020, in Medical Plaza in Fort Worth, Texas. He will truly be missed and the love his family holds for him will live on through each of them.
Sam is survived by his wife, Sue; his son Brad and wife Evella; his daughter Tracey and husband Brad; his four grandchildren, Coleman Turner, Cade Turner, Trent Harrison, and Madison Harrison; brother Royce Morton of Necessity; as well as countless cousins and nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a childhood-turned-lifelong friend, Gary Brown of Breckenridge. While on the family land in Necessity, Sam and Gary would spend time reminiscing of days gone by – something Sam loved to do every chance he could.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial’s in Sam’s name be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.
