Jim Turner

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James Bryan "Jim" Turner, 79, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

He was born June 5, 1923, in Sikeston, son of Claude B. and Bess Darrell Turner. He and Colleen Rayburn were married Aug. 4, 1943.

Turner was a graduate of Sikeston High School, attended Central Methodist College at Fayette, Mo., and Southeast Missouri State University.

He was employed by Missouri Highway Department, was a mechanics teacher 25 years at Sikeston High School, and was employed 17 years at Homestead Distributing Co.

Turner was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Retired Teachers Association, and was an elder at First Christian Church.

During World War II he served with the 401st bomb group in England.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Rebecca Wallace and Nancy Gorden of Katy, Texas; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandchild.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First Christian Church, with Dr. Allen Shriver officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.