It was a shock Friday night to learn of the death of Bruce Turner. I worked with Bruce's wife, Bonnie, the librarian at East Middle School for the past 10 years. In one of those cruelties of fate that sometimes occur, things had been looking up for the Turners, with Bonnie has continued to successfully battle cancer and the couple's daughter, Bethany, is scheduled to be married later in the year. Obituary information is printed below.
Born September 22, 1960 in Wichita, KS, he was raised in Pittsburg, where he graduated from high school in 1979. He received his Bachelor degree in Accounting from Pittsburg State University in 1984 and a second degree in Information Technology from Missouri Southern State University. He remained active in the P.S.U. Alumni Association. He was credentialed as a Certified Internal Auditor and had worked the past eight years as a Senior I.T. Auditor for Tyson Foods in their Springdale corporate offices. He had previously worked for Fleming Foods, Freeman Health System’s Ozark Center, and Spring River Mental Health and Wellness, formerly Family Life Center.
A current member of Christ’s Community United Methodist Church, he previously belonged to South Joplin Christian Church and was raised in the First Christian Church in Pittsburg. He had lived in the Joplin area for the past 28 years.
Bruce was very active in Boy Scouts. He was an Eagle Scout and was a Vigil with Order of the Arrow, Nih-Ka-Ga-Hah Lodge. He made two expeditions through Philmont Scout Ranch in 1976 and 1979 and the National Scout Jamboree in 1977. He has received two prestigious leadership awards, Wood Badge and the Golden Sun Award.
He was also a member of the Brush Beaters Off-Road Jeep Club and 12 year volunteer at Ronald McDonald House of the Four States.
On July 11, 1981 he married Bonnie Allene Dock of Pittsburg. She survives.
Additional survivors include a son, Bradley Douglas Turner and wife Megan of Webb City; a daughter, Bethany Michelle Turner and fiancé Thomas Thurston of Pittsburg; his mother, Jewell Turner of Pittsburg; his stepmother, Doyleen Turner of Jeffersonville, IN; a brother, Greg Turner and wife Carrie McDowell of Tulsa, OK; a sister, Denise Cannizzo and husband Ken of Fort Worth, TX; a stepbrother, Doug Wolfgram and wife Melody of San Juan Capistrano, CA; a stepsister, Jileen Shobe of Godly, TX; his maternal grandmother, Erma Sturgeon Barwick of Pittsburg; and several nieces, nephews, and one great niece.
Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Jim L. Turner of Pittsburg; his nephew and Godchild, Kip Anthony Turner; maternal grandfather, Harold Sturgeon; and paternal grandparents, Leo and Thelma “Tizzie” Turner.
Celebration of Life service will be held, Wednesday, August 7th at 6:30 p.m. at Christ’s Community United Methodist Church at 2700 E 44th St. in Joplin with Rev. Chris Sloan officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 6th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Christ’s Community.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the P.S.U. Scholarship Fund in care of the mortuary or the Youth Camp Fund at Christ’s Community.
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