Charles Lindburg Turner, 88, of Fayetteville, passed away Saturday, October 5, 2019 in Fayetteville. He was born June 14, 1931 in Barnes, AR to the late Claud and Beulah Turner.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Turner and a brother, Fred Turner.
Charles attended Arkansas Tech University where he met and married Betty Kilgore in 1952. He was an Air Force veteran having served a tour in Germany.
Charles and Betty moved to Fayetteville, AR. He graduated in 1960 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in engineering. Charles was employed at Baldwin Piano for 24 years. After a short time at LaBarge, he went to work in the I.T. Department at the Fayetteville Veterans Administration.
Charlie was known for wearing a silver hardhat, going by the nickname “Uncle Dum Dum” and amateur radio call sign, W5JYL. He was a Girl Scout leader, pilot and a jack-of-all-trades. Charles was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by half-brother, Jim Lyman and wife, Kay; a son, Mike Turner; daughters, Jan Korbe and husband, Steve, and Sandy Ward and husband, Cory; a niece, Michelle Cates; grandchildren, Amy Pickering and husband, Paul, Ashley Korbe and partner, Jerrod Boor, Angela Korbe and partner, George Kuharick and Briana Korbe, Taylor and Bayley Ward; great-grandchildren, Brody and Bennett Boor, Ava Korbe, Mabel Kuharick; 10 nieces and nephews and their families; and many friends.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Beard’s Chapel.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Beard’s Chapel. Interment will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview St, Fayetteville, AR 72703 or the Fayetteville Senior Center, 945 S. College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Sandy, my love and prayers to you and your family during this heartbreaking time. I remember your sweet Dad to be so funny and kind. My mom and Dad have always thought a lot of him and your dear Mom as well. May God wrap his loving arms around you all❤️
It is with a sad heart I pass on my wonderful memories of our years of remembrance. There were many years when Charlie
and Betty were supporting the girl Scouts and the Ham Club. They will be missed by all. May God look upon him with grace.
Our prayers go out to you.
Charlie was someone I looked up to. I learned a lot about manufacturing and working with people from him. He was a mentor to me for years at Baldwin. He was always in a good mood and motivated everyone to do their best. I know he will be missed by many friends and family. My condolences to you.
At various stages, Charlie Turner has been UNCLE CHARLIE and UNCLE DUM DUM. He has ALWAYS been a dear friend. I have so many fond memories of him while growing up from leading girl scouts to leading youth groups or just “being there” when my parents had died.
My favorite story happened and I wasn’t even there. He and AUNT BETTY were taking teenage girl scouts to Europe and he stayed up all night in the hallway at the youth hostel, so there wasn’t TOO MUCH friendliness with cute Italians down the hallway. There may have been a lot of shenanigans happening but NO ONE was getting pregnant “on his watch”.
He was a sweet man and will be missed by so many. I have been truly blessed for having him and your family in my life if only for a brief time.
I know this is belated because I just read Charlie’s obituary. My wife (Pat Osborne) appreciated him as her supervisor while working at Baldwin Piano Co. Very much.
Charlie always had a smile and answer for anything you may ask or do. He was a great person to work with. I truly respected this man. Prayers for the family!!!