Jerry Ben Turner of Branch, Arkansas, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Sunday, December 10, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1938, in Fort Smith Arkansas, to the late John Bradley and Lillian (Layman) Turner. He was 85 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 59 years, Bobby (Buth) Turner; and a sister, Johnney Andrews.

Jerry worked odd jobs in order to be able to purchase his first shotgun and was an avid hunter the rest of his life. He graduated early from County Line High School, then attended Arkansas Tech University where he met the love of his life, Bobby Louise Buth at Caraway Hall. After graduation at Arkansas Tech, they eloped in 1959, and got married in Clayton, New Mexico, by a Justice of the Peace, on the way to Evergreen, Colorado. They got homesick and moved back home to Branch where they began their family. Jerry was a lifetime educator serving the Booneville School District as well as the County Line School District. He was also an English teacher at Fort Chaffee Vietnamese Camp. Jerry's positions held included History Teacher, Principal, and sponsor of many classes. He held degrees from County Line Public Schools, Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas, and the University of Illinois.

Jerry's favorite things to do were traveling to 49 states with multiple trips to Alaska. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, photography, and spending time with is grandkids.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 13th at the funeral home in Charleston.

He is survived by two daughters, Terri Dooly and husband Lane of Charleston and Sherry Turner of Branch; his son, Tom Turner and wife Amy of Branch, along with his grandchildren, Sarah Boen of Fort Smith, Luke and Presley Dooly of Bentonville, Drew Dooly of Charleston, Jennifer Lee and husband Bill of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tamela Martin of Van Buren, Jerry Martin and wife Julie of Conway, Elizabeth, Lilly, Ben, and Bella Turner of Branch. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Peyton Martin, Kooper Wasson, Haddon Lee, Jordan, Johnni, and Oliver Boen, Olivia, Abbigayle, and Ethan Martin; a brother, J.B. Turner and wife Donna of Branch; two sisters, Nancy Shook and husband Harold of Siloam Springs and Sue Brooks of Van Buren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Baptist Health Cancer Center, Heart of Hospice and the nurses on the sixth floor at Baptist Health.

Cremation and services are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.