Published: July 04, 2009 06:54 pm      

Joe Martin Turner

Joe (Marti) Turner, age 66, leader of the Turner family clan, died at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN., on Tuesday June 16, 2009, following a sudden and severe battle of Pancreatitis.

He was born March 12, 1943, in Sulphur, OK., to the late Victor (Joe) Turner and Mary Helen Turner. He attended and graduated from Stratford High School in 1961. Joe served in the U.S. Army 18th ARTY Group, 31st Brigade, beginning in June of 1961. He attained the rank of E-5, and he received a Good Conduct Medal and an Honorable Discharge on June 22, 1964. On August 5, 1971, he was united in marriage to Joanne Lee Miller in Pittsburg, PA.

Mr. Turner graduated from East Central University in Ada, OK., with a B.S. in Accounting in May of 1971.

In February of 1972, Joe joined the Internal Revenue Department as an IRS Agent. On August 14, 1977 he joined the Criminal Investigation Division and became a Special Agent for the Treasury Department. During his time as a Special Agent, he was instrumental in several undercover and high profile tax evasion and criminal cases in California, Nevada, Colorado and Oklahoma. When Joe retired on August 16, 1997 he was presented with an outstanding service award by the U.S. Treasury Department with the following inscription;

“Your leadership and contributions to Federal Law Enforcement has proven to be outstanding and will never be equaled.”

Joe was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church in Stratford, OK. While living most recently in Bella Vista AR., Joe attended the Bella Vista Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #118 in Stratford OK where he served a term as Grand Master. While living in Bella Vista, Joe became a member of the Fly Tyers Club and he was an avid golfer. Joe thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and was considered a world class hunter and fisherman by his friends. Joe was also an acclaimed Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun shooter claiming various State and National titles.

Joe was first and foremost a man about family. Joe’s teachings and spirit will live on for generations in everyone he touched. Joe is survived by his wife, Joanne and their daughter Tamara; son Derek; and son Kevin and his wife Shelley and their three grandchildren Blake, Beau and Brynlee; and three sisters Carol Lamb, Lana Wood and Dixie Ross. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services for Joe (Marti) Turner will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the Stratford Free Will Baptist Church in Stratford, OK. The Rev. Lewis Perry pastor, will officiate. Graveside Services will be at McGee Cemetery in Stratford following the Church Services. A memorial service by the Stratford Masonic Lodge will be held during the graveside services. Relatives and friends are also welcome at the Pickard Funeral Home in Stratford OK, on Friday from noon to 7:00 p.m. for visitation.

Flowers may be sent via the Ada Greenhouse in Ada, OK., Also, in lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name (Joe M. Turner) at the Stratford Free Will Baptist Church, P.O. Box 591, Stratford, OK., 74872.

We would like to thank all of our friends and family for all of their help and support as the outpouring of support has touched our hearts.

Pickard Funeral Home, Stratford