Colonel Russell Alan Turner, II

COLONEL RUSSELL ALAN TURNER, II UNTIED STATES AIR FORCE, RETIRED 81, of Lake Worth, Florida passed away Wednesday June 8, 2011 following a brief illness. Colonel Turner was born November 16, 1929 in Glendale, Ohio to the late Russell Alan & Ann G. (Brooks) Turner Sr. and moved to the Lake Worth area in 1978. He is a retired Air Force Colonel and former pilot with over 26 years of service, 20 of which were spent as a public affairs officer. He spent 11 years in Air Force Systems Command and Air Force Logistics Command. He was a B-29 weather reconnaissance pilot in England; flew C-121 Super Constellation “picket ships” off the coast of California for the Air Defense Command and was a C-130 troop carrier pilot for Tactical Air Command. He served as a public information officer with NATO defense forces in Iceland, he was assigned to the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division in Los Angeles. Colonel Turner retired director of public relations and account executive for Colee & Sartory. Before joining Colee & Sartory in 1986, Colonel Turner worked for Frank Wright, Inc. one of the oldest public relations firms in Florida. He has over 30 years experience in working with local, national and international news media. He is predeceased by his loving wife Jo Emily (Franklin) Turner. Colonel Turner is survived by his sons, John (Kamala) Hunt of Lake Worth and Stephen (Cheryl) of Celebration, Florida; 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services for Colonel Turner will be held 6:00 PM Friday, June 10, 2011 at Tillman Funeral Home, 2170 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach with Chaplain Rob Beck of Hospice of Palm Beach County officiating. Interment will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at Gordonsville Cemetery in Gordonsville, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407 or any Veterans Organization in memory of Colonel Turner.