Allen Turner of Lady Lake, Florida, went to be with the Lord on February 18, 2026.
Joe was born in Tifton, Georgia, on September 19, 1950. He attended Leesburg High School in Leesburg, Florida. After high school, he received his mechanics degree from Vo-Tech. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1969, where he was assigned to Company A, 78th Engineer Battalion, United States Army Europe, in Germany. While in the Army, he worked as a vehicle mechanic and automotive mechanic. He was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Expert M-14, and Sharpshooter with M-16. He proudly served until his honorable discharge in 1971.
Joe loved baking and owned and operated Turner’s Bakery in Palm Plaza, Leesburg, after his parents retired from the bakery business. After leaving the bakery business, Joe worked for J.E. Hill Contracting and then went to Hewitt Contracting Company, which later became C.W. Roberts Contracting, where he proudly worked for 16 years. He loved his job, loved the company, and especially loved his co-workers. One thing he insisted on doing was getting up at 3:00 a.m. to arrive at the shop before everyone else to make coffee for them all. It was something he loved to do, and it made him happy.
Joe was a devout Christian and would never shy away from telling people about the love of Christ. He was known for giving all he had to those in need, including giving the jacket he was wearing to someone on the corner and emptying his wallet when he saw people in need. He enjoyed fishing and helping people as much as he could. He loved his wife and family, and he enjoyed spoiling and spending time with the loves of his life—his dogs, especially Jesse, who became his Emotional Support dog after Joe’s heart surgery three years ago.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Herman “Buck” Turner and Evelyn Turner.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Kim; sisters Iris Cole, Linda Bennett (Julian), and Rhonda Morphet; children Ginger (John), Paddy (Mark), Tracey (John), Joy (Chris), Jeremy (Shelly), Kayli (Jason), Jason, Audrey, and AJ “Jay”; 21 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name to the Leesburg Humane Society or the Lake County Animal Shelter. The cemetery does not allow flowers.
Joe’s family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the second-floor nursing staff at UF Health Leesburg, Dr. Pablo Reyes, Christina Sheets and the entire C.W. Roberts family, and Dr. Roger Roque, who was more than just his doctor—he was like family.
Joe’s service, with full military honors, will be held Monday, March 9, at 2:00 p.m. at Florida National Cemetery (Bushnell), officiated by Pastor Alex Holloway. If attending, please arrive 15 minutes early. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at The Fruitland Park Gardenia Center, 205 W. Berckman Street, Fruitland Park, Florida 34731.
Joe’s family would like the Celebration of Life reception to have happy memories about Joe shared, so if you have any positive, funny, or fond memories, please be willing to share them with everyone at the reception.