Jerry Lyn Turner
Bakersfield - Jerry Lyn Turner passed away on August 12, 2023, one month before his 92nd birthday.
Jerry was born to Marion and Laura Turner in Altus, Oklahoma on September 12, 1931. His family later moved to Fairland, OK, where Jerry grew up. Always having a strong work ethic, he excelled in school, was active in sports, the Boy Scouts, and worked on the family farm. He enjoyed playing football and fishing with his lifelong friend Gobel James. He attended the University of Oklahoma obtaining a degree in Geological Engineering, graduating in 1955. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 2 years in Japan. Always one with a good sense of humor, his trip on a ship to Japan was an often-told story and indeed, one that was quite memorable even though quite unpleasant.
He married twice. First, to Sue Claire Freeman, with whom he had two daughters, Liesa Lyn and Meredith. Second, to Sharon Elaine Combs, with whom he had two sons, Gregory Scott Turner and Eric David Turner. In the early years, Jerry and his family lived in Ventura and Long Beach prior to moving to Bakersfield.
One of his early jobs as a petroleum engineer in the 1960s was with the Kern County Land Company in Bakersfield. In 1964, he was a founder of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield. In 1974, Jerry, Sharon and their boys moved to Dharan, Saudi Arabia to work for Aramco. They lived there for 4 years and traveled widely around the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. They then moved to Midland, Texas where Jerry worked for a large bank. In 1978, they moved back to Bakersfield where he joined Occidental Petroleum, enjoying a successful career and retiring from Oxy in the late 80s.
Jerry was an avid tennis player and had memberships at Laurel Glen and the Bakersfield Racquet Club, winning various tournaments. He was very active in the Bakersfield Rotary Club and the Westminster Presbyterian Church for several years. Jerry enjoyed taking family vacations to Oklahoma that always led to calamities, visiting his adult children and grandchildren in Idaho, Washington and California, and sharing cherry pie with his grandsons. He loved the outdoors and imparted a love of nature to his sons through many hunting, fishing, hiking and camping trips. He loved eating with his family at Mexicali, enjoying ice cream at Dewar's and Rosemary's.
Jerry is survived by his sister Janis Manke, daughters Liesa Wood (David) and Meredith Turner, his son Eric Turner (Karin), 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Gregory Turner, and his parents. Jerry really enjoyed people and formed strong relationships. He leaves behind his good friend Bill Burke as well as other dear friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 am, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Stine Road, Bakersfield, CA.