Franklin "Gene" Eugene Turner

Franklin Eugene "Gene" Turner passed away at his home surrounded by his family on August 4, 2022.

Franklin Eugene "Gene" Turner was born January 26, 1937 to Lee B. Turner and Beulah ( Wade ) Turner in Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Gene was the youngest of 3 children born to Lee & Beulah. He was a defensive lineman on the football team in high school at Baxter Springs and the team went to state 3 of the 4 years he played.

Gene then went to Pittsburg State College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
During his college years, he met Dorothy Louise Richardson who was completing her degree as a registered nurse in Joplin Missouri.
After graduating college, Gene was recruited by Thompson Hayward Chemical Company of Kansas City. Soon after Gene & Dorothy were married on July 23, 1963 and celebrated their marriage with two children, Mary Lynne & Terry Turner.

Gene worked his way up in Thompson Hayward, adding a Master’s degree in Business Administration from University of KCMO to his education and moving into a position as Vice President of Consumer Labeling & Government Regulations.

At home, Gene enjoyed teaching his children how to do repair and maintenance on their home and their vehicles. He taught them the basics of plumbing, electrical, & structural integrity along with auto mechanics which helped his children build on these key areas & add to his teaching.

Gene enjoyed camping and shared this with his family. They traveled to many parts of the country in an apple bee tent camper that he pulled behind their vehicle. They traveled to the northwest coast, Mount Rushmore, and many, many trips to the Ozarks.

After losing his wife, Dorothy, of over 50 years, Gene met Phyllis Garrett at a high school reunion in their home town of Baxter Springs, Kansas. They had been classmates and found a spark that took them through the next 6 years, until the time of his death.

Gene is survived by his Daughter, Mary Lynne Gatlin & husband Rick of Woodward, Oklahoma, his son, Terry Turner & wife Jeanine of Overland Park, Kansas granddaughters Evelyn Turner & Courtney Turner of Overland Park, & granddaughter Stephanie Turner of Bethesda, Maryland.

Services will be held at a later data.