Richard P. Turner

Richard Pender "Dick" Turner, 102, of Reston, Virginia, passed away on June 3 of natural causes associated with advanced age. Dick was born on April 20, 1921 to Frederick Elias and Lucy Caroline Turner in Burgaw, North Carolina. Dick grew up in Washington D.C., and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1939. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later attended classes at George Washington University. Dick met Evelyn Lorraine Ballou of Arlington, Virginia in high school, and they were married in 1946, going on to have two children, Richard Ballou Turner and Susan Lorraine Turner. Dick had a long career as a sales manager with the McCormick Spice Company, and after retirement worked a second career in several capacities with Turner Associates and Turner Framing; businesses founded by his son and daughter.

Dick was a life long sports fan as well as an athlete himself. During his high school years at Wilson H.S. in D.C., Dick earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. While in the service, Dick trained to be a fighter, and became an accomplished boxer in the lightweight category for his U.S. Navy team. His athletic ability was a factor in being selected for the Navy's V-5 flight program where Dick trained to be a pilot for the Corsair and Hellcat planes; two of the Navy's premier fighter aircraft in the Pacific theater. The war ended before he was deployed, even though Dick said he enjoyed the Navy, and had looked forward to joining the fight. As a continuation of his interest in sports, Dick became a high school basketball referee in the 1960's, and continued that endeavor for many years as an evening part time job. He was also the world's best fan, and enjoyed supporting all the local teams especially the Washington Redskins, Senators and Nationals. Dick also enjoyed the athletic interests of his children, and coached his daughter's softball team for several seasons. In later years, Dick would attend the sporting events of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and followed many of the Madison High School teams for decades where he would receive multiple " Madison # 1 Fan" awards from their Athletic Department.

When Dick and Evelyn married in 1946, their household also included Evelyn's mother, Catherine Ballou, and Evelyn's infant little sister, Dianne Ballou. Shortly thereafter came housekeeper Lucy Hendricks, then their son, Rick, and daughter, Raine. Dick was a loyal and dedicated father and caregiver to this expanded family. His wife, Evelyn, a talented artist, became a highly recognized abstract expressionist painter. Dick was very attentive to Evelyn's painting career; dedicating most of his free time in support of her talents for the rest of their lives together. Dick Turner was truly an unselfish man who gave his time, love and unrestrictive loyalty and support to his friends and family throughout his life.

Dick was predeceased by his wife, sister in law Dianne Camp, five brothers and a sister. He is survived by his son, Rick (Debbie) Turner of Lake Frederick, Va., his daughter, Raine (Kim) Coons of Vienna, Va., as well as four grandchildren, two step grandchildren, three great grandchildren and five step great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 9th at 12:00 noon at International CC, 13200 Lee Jackson Highway, Fairfax, VA 22033. We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry and to remember a very special person who is greatly missed