Donald Raymond Turner

Donald Raymond Turner December 21, 1927 November 4, 2009 Donald Raymond Turner, of Woodway, died at his home November 4, 2009, surrounded by his family, after a short and brave battle with cancer. Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 9, at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, November 8, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Donald was born on December 21, 1927, in Paris, Texas, to Fred and Katherine Turner, and spent his entire life in the Waco area. He grew up around his father's pharmacy, Turner Drug Store at 13th and Austin Avenue in Waco, working as a "car hop" and "soda jerk" starting at a very young age. Donald graduated from Waco High School in 1946, and after graduation, attended Baylor and Texas A&M Universities. He worked as a Registered Landscape Architect in Waco, at Westview Nursery, Midway Garden Center, and owned Waco Nursery, a wholesale and retail nursery. He married Edra Durand in 1955. After a semi-retirement, he became the first Park Director for the City of Woodway, designing and supervising the development of Whitehall Park, Poage Park, and Woodway Park. A huge supporter for the city of Waco development, Donald was one of the founders of both the Historic Waco Foundation and the Waco Civic Theater. He was a past president of the Waco Civic Theater, and helped raise the money to build the current theater building, and met his wife, Edra, while working on a play at the theater. Donald was also an American Red Cross volunteer, and helped with the rescue efforts during the Waco Tornado of 1953, even fielding a call from the White House. A believer in blood donation, Donald was documented as donating over 13 gallons of blood in his lifetime. Donald was a member of Rainbow Lake, Inc., and was associated with it his entire life. He was a past president and board member, and dedicated to its preservation. Dedicated to teaching and helping the youth of the Waco area, Donald was a Scout Master in Woodway for 20 years, as well as a Webelos and Cub Scout leader, making a total of 25 years as a scouting volunteer. At his retirement, he was named "Scout Master Emeritus" by the Scouting Association, the first person to receive such an honor. While Scout Master, he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and served with his wife and scouts as "Good Will Ambassadors" to Australia. Donald was known for taking his scouts on survival campouts, and is fondly remembered by his scouts as their "Fearless Leader." Under his guidance, the troop produced a record number of Eagle Scouts, more than any other troop in the Heart of Texas area. After his retirement, Donald worked with Camp Fire Boys and Girls, teaching native plants, wild flowers, and archaeology at Camp Val Verde. He also assisted in the archaeology classes for youth at the Discovery Center at Baylor University's Mayborn Museum, allowing the children to work at an actual archaeology site. He also helped many Boy Scouts earn their archaeology merit badges. Donald was a member of Austin Avenue Methodist Church his entire life, where he taught fifth grade Sunday school for many years. A passionate avocational archaeologist, Donald was a long time member and past president of the Central Texas Archaeological Society, member of the Southern Texas Archaeological Society, and a long time member and board member of the Texas Archaeological Society. He was awarded the Francis Stickney Field School award in 2002, and a certificate of merit for his special work with the field school in 2007. He was a passionate believer in protecting archaeological and historic sites for future generations and further scientific study. His love of history led him to an interest in genealogy, and in his retirement he became an avid genealogist, corresponding with researchers around the world, and tracking his own family's linage to before 1675. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Katherine Albright and Fred Turner. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Edra Turner; his children, Linda Turner, Katherine Turner-Pearson and her husband, Warren Pearson, and Mark Turner and his wife, Marilyn; a grandson, Jeramy Turner; a sister, MaryAnne Gardner; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Honorary Pallbearers are Oliver McMahan, Bill Oliver, Jim Morton, Jim Skillett, Sam Gardner III, Max Hibbits, and Al Redder. Donations can be made to the Central Texas Archaeological Society or the Texas Archaeological Society. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.