Thomas A. Turner USAF Ret.

Major Thomas Allen Turner, USAF, Ret., 77, of North Charleston, SC, widower of Marianne Skidmore Turner, died Monday, February 7, 2011, at home.

Born March 12, 1933 in York, PA he was the son of Theodore Richard Turner and Claire Louise Thomas Turner.  A 1955 graduate of West Point, Tom's military career as a pilot in the US Air Force included service in the Vietnam War. He later earned a Master's Degree in Education; Tom was a frequent contributor to "Letters to the Editor" in the Post & Courier newspaper.  He loved his dogs and was an avid golfer.  He was an Episcopalian by faith.

Major Turner is survived by his sons, David Turner of North Charleston, SC and Robert Turner and his wife Cathy of Mt. Pleasant, SC; four grandchildren:  Robert Arthur Turner, Jr., Ryan Reed Turner, Marianne Grace Proffitt and Rose Elizabeth Turner; two great-grandchildren, Richard Proffitt and Alyssa Proffitt; brothers, Jim Turner of Memphis, TN and Bill Turner of Springfield, MO.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011 in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., NORTHWOODS CHAPEL, 2180 Greenridge Road.  The burial of his urn will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 12, 2011 with full military honors in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, in Springfield, MO.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406.