Reflections of Life

“I have fought a good fight,
 I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith.”
                                                                II Timothy 4:7

Master Sgt. James Walter Turner (USA ret.) departed this earthly life on August 30, 2024. He was born on June 30, 1945, to the late Frank and Leah Turner, in Kilmarnock, Virginia.

He attended the public schools in Lancaster County before entering the military.  During James’s time in the United States Army, he is credited with serving two tours in Vietnam Nam, three in Germany, four years in Panama, a year in Korea, and several months in Italy, Spain, and England.  Among the many awards he received during his career are the National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with V Device, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon (2), Good Conduct Medal (5th. Award), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3), Meritorious Service Medal, Drill Sergeant Badge, and the Legion of Merit.  After serving twenty-plus years in the United States Army, James retired on March 31, 1983, from the Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. 

James began his Civil Service career with the Department of Defense in 1984, working at the following installations, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Fort Eustis, Virginia, and Fort Monroe, Virginia.  In these capacities, James was a valued member of the Training Modernization Analysis Directorate and the Army Training Support Center (ASTC) as a subject matter expert/instructor in the engineering field for mine warfare, demolition and explosives, bridge classifications, and tactics. James was responsible for training and writing doctrine for Engineer Advance Non-Commissioned Officers’ Courses and Basic Engineer Officers Courses. In this capacity, he received numerous awards and decorations for his accomplishments.  In 1986, James accepted a job at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Virginia as Team Chief in the Training Requirement Analysis System Directorate.  Following a promotion, James moved to the Army Training Support Center as a Program Manager for The Army Modernization Directorate at Fort Eustis.  At Fort Eustis, James was responsible for the modernization of high-tech digital and computerized range training facilities throughout the Army.  James served a total of forty-three years in defense of his country. Upon final retirement, James was offered several jobs with various defense contractors, but declined, because he wanted to travel and resume his passion for coaching young people in community sports.

Cruising was also a passion and he enjoyed cruising throughout the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and South America with his wife Brenda.

James leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of fifty-three years Brenda; son Eric (Stacey) of Williamsburg, VA; daughter Erica of Newport News, VA; grandchildren, Brandon Turner and Alyssa Turner, both of Williamsburg, VA; sisters, Lucille Rich of Clinton, MD and Virginia Marr of District Heights, Maryland; a devoted and special niece Francine Nickens of Baltimore, MD; a special friend Bubby Kenner of White Stone, VA; brother-in-law Rudolph Kenner (Catherine) of White Stone, VA; sisters-in-law, Rebecca Harris of Newport News, VA and Janie Brown of Kilmarnock, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Mt Vernon Baptist Church, White Stone, Virginia with a viewing beginning at 11:00 a.m.  A viewing will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. MSgt. Turner may also be viewed on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Campbell Funeral Home, 27 Bluff Point Road, Kilmarnock, VA 22482 804-435-3150 campbellfuneralhomeva.com and Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com