Calvin Allen Turner Jr., formerly of Mountain City, died Saturday, March 17, 2012, surrounded by his family in Seguin. He is survived by his wife Patricia “Janie” Kersey Turner; son James Turner and daughter-in-law-to-be Jean Scheidnes; daughter Terri Turner Blang and son-in-law Bryan Blang; and grandsons Keaton Blang, Conner Blang, Chase Allison and Kaden Allison.
Calvin was born in Seguin to Calvin “Cab” Turner Sr. and Charlissa Smith Turner on August 14, 1945. A 1964 Seguin High graduate, he served as an air policeman based in Utapao, Thailand.
In his father’s and great uncle’s footsteps, Calvin entered the Texas Game Warden Academy in 1972. It was Calvin’s true calling, which brought excitement, fulfillment and a lifetime of stories.
An act of bravery put him in the headlines, when Texas Monthly and others covered his rescue of his diving instructor Don Dibble. Rescue and Recovery Specialist Dibble had gone into Jacob’s Well, an artesian well in Wimberley, in search of a group of divers, when a landslide trapped him. Calvin got to Dibble, gave him oxygen and brought him up. He cared little for the resulting publicity, simply acting out his everyday sense of duty. He served in Hays County until 1995.
After retiring as game warden, Calvin worked as an investigator for the Hays County district attorney, then relocated to Lake LBJ and became the unofficial Highland Haven handyman. Calvin was always ready to help anyone.
Calvin wed young, adored his wife, and would have celebrated their 46th anniversary in June. Although the couple endured hardships, including the passing of their daughter Lori Turner Allison in 2007, their steadfastness and playful nature was an inspiration to all who knew them. Their large extended family tended to gather at their house, especially for Calvin’s smoked brisket.It was said to be the best brisket they ever had.
Since resettling in Seguin in 2007, he was committed to daily coffees with old friends. If not socializing, he could be found in his workshop with his extensive tool collection. He had a soft spot for Max, a surly rat terrier/Chihuahua mix; they were inseparable for the past 10 years.
Calvin is survived by three siblings – Donna Jean “Smokey” Taylor, Morgan Turner and Shauna Turner Bell – and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and in-laws.
A stern father, Calvin had high expectations, and was also a teddy bear. He was gregarious and loved to laugh. He had a wicked sense of humor, a deadpan delivery, and was always ready with a prank.
Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday March 24 at the Kingsbury Cemetery. The family requests donations be made to the Guadalupe County 100 Club which supports families of fallen or injured first responders in lieu of flowers.
