John “JT” Roland Turner, 82, St. Cloud

August 15, 1933 - May 15, 2016

John went to Heaven on May 15, 2016 after battling the effects of dementia for several years.

He was born on August 15, 1933, in Minneapolis, MN, to William J. Turner and Evelyn Calvert Turner. His father, employed by Old Ben Coal, was transferred to Sioux Falls, SD, where the family moved in 1939.

When he was a kid, John rode the train many summers to the Monongahela, PA, (Pittsburgh area) with his mom, spending time with extended families. In August his Dad would drive his 1940s era car all the way to Pennsylvania and bring them home again to Sioux Falls.

John graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1951, and the University of South Dakota in 1955 where he participated in the ROTC program. He served his active duty at Fort Benning, GA, and later in the Army Reserve.

John married Patricia Dubbelde in Garretson, SD, in September of 1958. They lived in Butte, MT, their first four years together, followed by moves to Bloomington, Eden Prairie and St. Cloud, MN.

With his happy, outgoing personality John spent most of his career in sales. John Morrell & Co. moved him to Montana. In 1966 Bristol Laboratories transferred him from Minneapolis to St. Cloud, where he later worked for Mueller Office Supply and then Coborn’s the last 23 years. John retired in 2009.

John did not have siblings but was “adopted” by the large Dubbelde family. He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; creative son, Jeff Turner; gifted son, Scott Turner (wife, Ann) & their children, Allison, Maddy, and Sam Turner; and favorite daughter, Kerry Turner (husband, Ed) & her children, Alex and Emily Boosalis. He is very proud of his kids & loves his family and friends. He treasured the game of golf and his golfing buddies. Simply put, John was a Sports Nut. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN. Memorial Mass will be Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Garretson, SD. Burial will be in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, Garretson, SD. Memorials preferred.

The family extends a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the VA Medical Center and Hospice unit.