Alvin Bruce ‘Al’ Turner
Alvin Bruce “Al” Turner of Rome, passed away on May 1, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Al was born on March 11, 1938, to Bruce and Ruth Kite Turner in Rogersville, TN.
Al was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William Turner.
Al’s childhood home was on the farm in Bulls Gap, TN. Al told many stories of his childhood experiences: going to school in a one-room schoolhouse, swimming in the creek, chopping tobacco and working on the rolling store, a school bus converted into mobile general store, with his daddy beginning at the age of five years old. He also told of “the Devil’s Eel,” a creature of unknown origin he once fished out of the creek by the road on the farm.
Al graduated from Bulls Gap High School in 1955 and attended the University of Tennessee for two years. UT did not have a Forestry School and paid for his out-of-state tuition to attend and graduate from Auburn University in 1960 with a BS in Forestry. He served in the U.S. Army where he attained the rank of Specialist and received an honorable discharge in 1967.
After graduation from Auburn, Al was hired by Georgia Kraft in Rome and retired after 39 years. He began as a forester and retired after implementing the GIS System used to track tree harvesting operations.
Al met his wife, Dorothy Brittain in 1967 in Talbotton. Georgia Kraft transferred Al to Auburn, Ala.; then to Gainesville; and finally to Rome, where he and Dorothy made their home.
Al loved nature and shared this love with his sons. An avid fly fisherman, he fished in all 50 states as well as in England, Australia, Cuba, and Canada. One of his favorite sayings is “I do not go places to fish; I fish to go places.” His last state to fish in was Hawaii. After this accomplishment, he began climbing the high points in each state. He climbed 33 high points before his health prohibited his climbing additional ones.
Al and Dorothy went to Hawaii a second time to climb its high point, Mauna Kea, which they climbed together. Al, Ben, and Dorothy traveled to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to visit Adam while he was stationed there with Rifle Security Company Windward, U.S. Marine Security Forces.
Al always provided for his family. He always gave much and took very little for himself. Al had many talents. He was a natural storyteller, entertaining us with stories from his adventures. He loved to explore. He even drove to the Arctic Circle. He played his bass in many excellently named bluegrass bands such as “Too Wet to Plow” and “10W30 The Multi-Viscosity String Band.”
He was a founding member of the Georgia Mountain Music Club. He built a primitive one room cabin on the family property in Armuchee, Ga. At home he was a skilled craftsman, repairing electrical, plumbing, and carpentry problems. Al and Dorothy built their first home from scratch. The greatest lesson learned from this was that they never wanted to build another home.
Al was a member of 2nd Avenue Baptist Church. He sang in the choir before his health declined and he also played the bass in the church’s performance of “Cotton Patch Gospel.”
Al is survived by his wife, Dorothy Brittain Turner, son, Adam Brittain Turner (Michael Ann Lane), of Lyons, CO, son, Benjamin Bruce “Ben” Turner (Jessica) of Poulan, Ga., grandchildren, Owen Brittain Turner and Josie Claire Turner, sister, Lana Ellis (Chuck, deceased); brother Fred “Joe” Turner (Dianne), brother, Sidney Turner (Sandy), sister Judy Drinnon (Randall), and nieces and nephews. A special family for Al is Rebekah, Brent, Emma, Quinn, Elijah, and Maggie Molyneux. They loved him like a father and grandfather.
An appreciative thank you for the love and care from the nurses of Traditions Hospice.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 7 at 4 p.m. at the Molyneux Farm with Dennis Rogers officiating. Visitation and reception will follow at the Turner home. Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 8 at 1:00pm at West View Cemetery in Monticello, with Jacob Roberts officiating. Dress casual. Charitable donations can be made to 2nd Avenue Baptist Church Youth Department.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, has charge of the arrangements.