(1931 - 2020)
Ronald McCay Turner, age 89, died peacefully Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia. Born in Fannin County, January 11, 1931, to Howard and Anna Lee (Adams) Turner. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and was a proud veteran. He earned a BS in Forestry from the University of Georgia in 1960 and was a member of the National Forestry Honor Society, Xi Sigma Pi.
Known for his sense of humor, Ronald was a popular Gainesville businessman. He owned and operated Lanier Timber Company, and later, North Georgia Forestry Services. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling and boating on his beloved Lake Lanier. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he was a volunteer baseball coach for many years and a die-hard Georgia Bulldog fan who loved cheering for his team between the hedges. Above all, he valued spending time with friends and family.
He was a member of the Atlanta Road Church of Christ, and the family would like to express their gratitude for the loving support both Ronald and Joan have received from their church family.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Anna Lee Turner; in-laws, Frank and Mary Kate Arp; and three brothers, Howard Jr., Larry and Michael Turner. Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Joan Weese Turner; sister, Deborah Marchman of Dacula, Georgia; son, Alan Turner (Susan) of Blue Ridge; daughter, Melanie Tack (Thomas) of Dix Hills, New York; grandchildren, Robyn and Aaron Turner, Trey and Grant Berry, Amanda Tack Brady (Tim), Alex Tack (Allison), Spencer Tack (Brittany), Dylan, Harrison, Ethan and Lucas Tack; and five great-grandchildren also survive.
A memorial celebration of Ronald’s life was held Saturday, January 25, at Atlanta Road Church of Christ in Gainesville. Please send online condolences to the family at legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association.