Don Mike Turner

Don Mike Turner, a respected Jefferson County land broker, died Tuesday, November 02, 2010 in Ringling, OK. He was 81 years and 28 days old.

Graveside services are at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 4, 2010, at Ringling Memorial Cemetery. The Rev. Larry Adkisson will conduct the services. Visitation will be at Alexander Funeral Home in Ringling from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Mr. Turner was born to Claude R. Turner and Ethel Hall Turner on October 4, 1929 at Claypool, Oklahoma in Jefferson County. The Turners were one of the counties earliest ranching families in the area.

Mike, as he was known to his multitude of friends, attended Oklahoma A&M and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He served as director and board member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. He was a trustee and worked on numerous committees for the First United Methodist Church. He taught Sunday school for high school aged students and enjoyed his early Sunday morning fellowship with Methodist Men. He was an organizer of rural water program and was active in the Ringling community.

Mike and Betty Turner were married in February 24, 1951, at the Methodist church in Stillwater, OK.

Mr. Turner ranched with his father then proceeded to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in South Dakota as an Indian Agent in the late fifties. Mr. and Mrs. Turner operated the Ford dealership in Ringling through the mid-sixties. Mike sold livestock feed for two different companies, was foreman of the Farah ranching and farming operations in St. Francisville, LA, and sold land for the last 40 years.

Mrs. Turner once said, “Mike and I always pray for the people who buy a place from us; that they’ll be good stewards of the land God is giving them. Mike is a man of integrity: that’s why the business is successful.”

Mike Turner had a love for flying and was a pilot for many years. His family shares stories of landing in unusual places in some uncommon weather conditions.

Besides his wife of almost 60 years, Mr. Turner is survived by his son, Jeff Turner and his daughter-in-law Susan of Montery, CA, daughter, K.T. Turner Tripp and son-in-law Steve of Throckmorton, TX, grandson, Dakota Moncrief and wife Leslie of Colony, TX, two great-grandchildren, Mason and Mallory. Nieces and nephews include Claudia Cook, Cindy Tilton, Lori Altabet, Ted Turner, Patricia Kay Jones, Larry Stewart, Bob Earl Stewart, Biff Jackson and Van Jackson.

Casket Bearers are Harry Goodman, Tom Hildebrant, Jack Wilson, Mike Faulkner, Joe McClusky, and Bobby Jones.

Honorary Bearers will be Nephews, Larry Stewart, Bob Earl Stewart, Biff Jackson, and Van Jackson.

Memorial Donations may be sent to the Ringling Methodist Church c/o Alexander Funeral Home P.O. Box 1057 Ringling, OK 73456

Services are under the direction of Alexander Funeral of Ringling.

Condolences can be sent online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.