Palestine High School Alumni Association

08 / 29 / 1934  –  10 / 01 / 2009

Robert Burton Turner, 75 of Sun City, Georgetown, Texas passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2009 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. A service celebrating Robert’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 410 East University Blvd., Georgetown, Texas with Dr. Jim Porter and the Rev. Brenda Adkins officiating. Interment will occur at a later date at The Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Robert was born August 29, 1934 in Palestine, Texas to the late John Stafford Turner Sr. and Gertrude Garner Turner.

Robert attended Texas A&lM University where he received his Bachelor’s of Science degree. Robert joined the United States Navy in 1955, before leaving Texas he married his sweetheart, Sylvia Gay Lester on January 1, 1957.

He served his country honorably for two years. He received an honorary Doctorate from Aachen University in Germany. Robert worked for over 40 years for Dow Chemical as a Polymer Physicist and Research Scientist.

He and Gay lived for many years in the Freeport/Lake Jackson area where they were longtime members of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Robert and Gay moved to Georgetown in 1997 and have since been members of First United Methodist Church.

Robert leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 52 years, Gay Turner; his children, Susan K. Pacheco and her husband Ralph, and Stephen Burton Turner; brother, John Stafford Turner Jr. and wife Mary Ann; three grandchildren, Genevieve Pacheco, Madeleine Pacheco, and Raphael Pacheco; brothers-in-law, Benjamin N. Lester and wife Marsha and Jimmy Lester; along with several nieces, nephews, and other loving family members.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to First United Methodist Church, Bill Jones Scholarship Fund, the Organ Fund, or Praise and Promise Fund; the American Cancer Society or Hospice Austin.

Those wishing to send the family personal words of comfort may do so at the Gabriels Funeral Chapel .

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 10-03-2009