M. Atwood Turner

Mr. M. ATWOOD TURNER, 94, passed away at The Terrace at Fleming Island, in Orange Park on November 3 after a long illness. Atwood was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 23, 1914. His family moved from Memphis to Ocala, Florida when he was three years old and he grew up in Ocala, where he excelled in all sports, but particularly swimming, setting 5 state high school swimming records which he held for many years. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, with the 349th Airdrome Squadron in Burma, during Word War II. Following the end of the war, he and his lifelong business partner, George Leseman, founded Jacksonville Wholesale Floral Company and they remained in business together until their retirement in 1985. He was married to Kathleen (Kay) McKay on September 30, 1939, and they shared a lifetime together. Kay passed away on October 1, 2006, just one day following their 67th wedding anniversary. Atwood is survived by three children: his daughter, Linda Turner Kelly (Ed) of Orange Park, Florida, his sons, Edwin Turner (Evey) of Bradenton, Florida, and Stephen Turner of Atlantic Beach, Florida. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Michael Kelly, Kathleen Kelly Marshall, Daniel Wagner, Joey Turner and Carolyn Turner, and by four great-grandchildren: Ayla Kelly, Kaitlin Marshall, Madison Wagner and Meredith Lane Wagner. Atwood was blessed with over 94 years of life and, in turn, was a blessing to all those who knew and loved him. He will be missed by his family for his wisdom, for his good humor and for his abiding sense of personal honor. His life will be celebrated and remembered in a memorial service on Friday, November 7th, at 11:00 a.m. at Ortega United Methodist Church, 4807 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32210. Flowers are welcome and appreciated, but memorials may be made in his honor to: Ortega United Methodist Church, at the above address, or to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257. Please sign the family’s online register book at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.To view the VIDEO TRIBUTE, click the following link: http://brfhtributes.com/MATurner_November2008.htm