SANFORD TURNER, JR.

The Turner family request in lieu of flowers please donate to the Macedonia Baptist Church Roland Adolph Franklin Memorial Scholarship.

Joe was born in Tyler, Texas to Katy Gooden and Sanford Turner, Sr.  He began his walk with Christ at an early age and was baptized in the AME Church which he attended until his faith was weakened at the early loss of his mother.  Joe, then moved to Phoenix, Arizona to live with his mother’s only sibling, fondly known as “Aunt Hattie.”  He attended Booker T. Washington Elementary and graduated from Carver High School in 1954.

Upon graduation he and his two best friends enlisted in the Air Force.  Thus began a 26 year military career which allowed him to live out his dream of seeing the world.  His 19-years overseas included assignments to Japan, Germany (2), South Vietnam, Taiwan, and Turkey.  His stateside assignments included Travis AFB, CA, and Kelly AFB, TX where he finally retired.

Before his Vietnam assignment Joe prayed silently in his heart that if he ever saw Bobbie J. Butler again, he would marry her.  Little did he realize God listened to his prayer and upon returning to San Francisco, CA in January 1965, God granted his prayer.  Joe and Bobbie were married February 1965.  They were blessed with two children, five grandsons, a granddaughter, and fourteen great-grandchildren.  Joe’s family meant the world to him, he loved each of them unconditionally and he proudly supported their every effort.  His heart was merry and he always had a twinkle in his eyes when they were together.

Joe graduated from the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy in 1968, the Senior NCO Academy 1974, and the Senior Crypto Logic Analyst School at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland in 1977.  He says he was privileged to have attained the same grade in 1978 of his military mentor; Chief Master Sergeant Charles “Pop” ‘D’ Arcy, a former WW II prisoner of war” who taught him to become a man, a father and a leader. Joe retired from military service in 1985.

In addition to a successful military career, God equipped Joe to excel in his 22 year federal civilian service career as an Industrial Engineering Technician; Chief, Industrial Engineering; and Chief, Resources Flights at Lackland AFB.  He led his team to give HQ AETC Outstanding Resources Flight awards, and was honored to be recipient of the HQ USAF-wide Outstanding Resources Flight Award upon his retirement in 2003.  He was blessed to receive numerous military and civilian service awards.  Joe, made it perfectly clear that God had shown him unmerited favor and blessings beyond his wildest imagination.

Joe, was a prolific, ambidextrous high school athlete, excelled in both basketball and cross country track.  He was privileged to play center for the HQ United States Air Forces Europe Championship Team in 1961 and with HQ Air Force Logistics Command in 1963, competing at the Air Force World –Wide basketball championships in both years.  He developed a passion for golfing which he started after a serious basketball injury in 1975.

Although, Joe had periodically attended Macedonia with his family since 1968, he did not join until 1977.  After joining he was relentlessly pursued by Rev. Allen Maxwell, who God placed in his Christian path, to attend his Sunday school class which he served faithfully ever since.  Once he began to seriously study the Word of God, and it becoming a daily diet, his commitment to God skyrocketed—the rest is history. Joe was ordained a Deacon at Macedonia on  April 21, 1991.

Joe was introduced to “In His Grip Ministries” by Deacon Julius Thompson and given the Ministry of reaching the unsaved/unchurched golfers for Christ. His favorite Scriptures became Psalm 103:1-2 and Romans 1:16.  Everywhere he went he let golfers know he was a Christian and always found a way to introduce someone to Christ, as he walked golf courses until the age of 82, after which he began riding the golf carts.

Joe’s desire was to be a good Christian and to serve as an usher.  However, he realized God always had the last word.  He could be found faithfully serving as a member of  the Senior Ushers Ministry, Fulfillment Hour teacher, Tribal Leader for (June) Gad, Men’s Chorus, BOMB (Men’s Ministry), and Chairman of  MBC Deacon’s Ministry.  He was truly a willing and committed servant of God, known for his giving and humble spirit.  He was totally committed to the Lord, and our Savior Jesus Christ.  He would say he’s on the right road now, “aint tired yet.”

Joe confessed whenever God called him home, he would be glad to leave the land of the dying and go to the “Land of the Living.”  He was preceded in death by his loving Aunt Hattie Redd who raised him following the death of his mother; and Sisters, Alice Martin, Erma Johnson, and Brothers, R. L. Ford, Lee D. Ford, and Charles Turner. 

He leaves in God’s care his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Bobbie, children, Debbie (Theodore) Woods, Albert (Maryann) Turner, grandsons; Theodore (Tyesha) Woods, Jr., Christopher (Shaunta-fiancé) White, R. Andre (Teresa) White, Robert Turner, Michael (Stephanie) Woods; granddaughter, Stephanie Turner; great-grandchildren, Jafar, Jarehn, Kimari, Kyra, Kaleya, Isaac, Nevaeh, Angel, Theory, Tymple, Cierra, Kendall, Weston, and Laydi; Sisters, Doretha (Lawrence) Mitchell, Carolyn Turner, Diane Widemon, Brothers, Matthew Turner, Steve Turner, and James Ray Turner; God Children; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.