John Raymond Turner

He was united in marriage to Ardie Rowan on August 13, 1961 in Milton. To this marriage, they were blessed with three children, Kelly Tab, Kevin Todd, and Krista Tonya. John attended Dodge City Community College where his focus was on Animal Studies.

As a very young man, he learned to work hard and work whatever jobs, wherever available to support his family. He worked at a filling station in Mullinville before moving to Ulysses and working in the Helium Plant. He and Ardie moved to Milton to raise their family in 1963. He then worked building the Missle Bases, then at Farrar’s in Norwich then Mirroflex. John became a leather craftsman while working at Shepler’s in Wichita. He would continue working in his trade until his death. Before going to work at Boeing and Cessna he opened Double T Western Store with Ardie and Tab. He created hundreds of leather goods including belts, saddles, and chaps. After closing Double T he continued his leatherworking under the name Milton City Saddle Shop. He traveled to the Big Horn Boys ranch in Colorado on multiple occasions to collect their tack and repair it.

John was a true cowboy through and through. With his family he followed rodeo circuits throughout the area, he was the go-to man to break a horse, and most of the time talked one of his children into being the test rider. He built an arena where rodeo participants traveled to practice every Sunday. He was a true horse enthusiast.

John retired from Boeing in 1997 at the age of 55, on April Fool’s Day, he thought this was a very funny joke. He turned his focus on his Quarter Horses, AJ BAR 20 was his brand. But before he left the plant he helped to start a fundraiser that would raise tens of thousands of dollars yearly for Toys for Tots, selling quarter-pound hot dogs and all the fixings.

He was a treasure hunter, he especially loved the $1 surprise boxes. He even purchased his own urn at a horse sale, it says “Merry Christmas Mom, 1972,” apparently Timmy’s mom didn’t enjoy it as much as Bubba did. He could never pass up a good deal and could always find someone to use one of his many treasures. He was an avid collector of Hop Along Cassidy collectibles, Grapeyette and Louis L'amour Books.

John loved to help be one of Santa’s helpers every Christmas season. He also enjoyed being a long-time member of Milton Baptist Church.

The song “I’ve Been Everywhere,” was a very accurate depiction of his life and travels. He loved to travel and see different things. He liked to go off the beaten path and treasure hunt along the way. He especially loved working for Quality Solutions traveling the country after retirement. It seemed as though he had visited every place that was ever brought into a conversation.

John took great pride in his family. Just a few years ago all 10 of his grandchildren lived within 15 minutes of him, and he was extremely proud of the fact. He loved to boast about the success of his family. “It’s a Turner thing” was a slogan that was extremely fitting. When his grandchildren started being born he decided he wanted to be called Bubba, and that stuck. Bubba also called all his grandsons “Bubba.” In recent years he and Ardie had started watching their great-grandchildren once a week. He loved his little “sweeties” and “bubba.” John was especially proud that both of his sons and all his grandsons serve their community on the Norwich Fire Department.

John was an avid gardener. He loved working in his orchard, discussing his grape vines, building things for Ardie’s beautiful gardens, and helping others problem solve their garden woes. 7 dust cures all it turns out. John was a unique thinker and was able to troubleshoot or come up with a neat idea very easily. John was especially proud of his berry bushes. He enjoyed going to horse sales and having a slice or two of sugar-free blueberry pie. One time Ardie caught him on the phone saying that he just brought a regular pie home and wrote “SF-Sugar Free” on the top to fool her.

John was known for his larger-than-life personality. He had a few signature traits that were extremely well-known. The way his whistle could call his kids home from the farthest of places or the way he said “Ard.” He loved to go to family events and always brought his own plastic white chair, even to some funerals. On birthdays he loved to call and sing happy birthday, he never said who he was, it was just known. He would sometimes just hang up at the end of the call without saying anything else. His loud, booming voice will surely be missed.

He entered into eternal peace on May 29th 2020 at his residence of 57 years, surrounded by his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Zula Mae and Ray Turner. Sister Elida Fraser. His grandparents Wilbur and Edna Turner and George and Jessie Jane Newman.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Ardie Turner, of the home. Sons, Tab (Denise) Turner, Todd Turner of Norwich. Daughter, Tonya (Dave) Stuhlsatz of Conway Springs. Grandchildren, Clint (Maria) Turner, Cory Turner, Jeremy (Miranda) Turner, Ty (Kallie) Turner, Morgan (Kestyn) Drouhard, and Malory (Chad) Allender, all of Norwich, Lindsay (Colton) Hardaway of Milton, Kaitlyn Drouhard of Rose Hill. Bonus Grandchildren Rachel and Kaleb Stuhlsatz of Conway Springs. Great Grandchildren, Cora, Paisley, Everleigh Turner of Norwich and Conner and Rowan Hardaway of Milton, Beckett Turner and Brooks Turner of Norwich. Brothers, Wilbur (Ann) Turner of Peculiar, Missouri, James (Dyvonna) Turner of Derby, and sister, Ramona (Gary) Randolph of Denver, Colorado. Along with a host of other nieces, nephews, and cousins.