Jackson Turner

Jackson Parks “Jack” Turner died early Monday morning, May 12 at Regency Park from complications of a stroke he suffered this past February 9. He was 89.
At the time of his stroke, Mr. Turner was actively engaged as Chairman of the Board of Alliance Bancshares, Inc. and Alliance National Bank, where he continued to work daily. He was serving concurrently as Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee and as a Trustee of the Hamilton Health Care System, Inc. He was still involved in the affairs of the Georgia Hospital Association. Additionally, Mr. Turner was serving Mercer University as a Trustee and as a member of its Executive Council.
A native of Dalton, Mr. Turner was well known throughout Georgia as a civic leader, financial expert, and philanthropist. His business expertise extended deeply into the carpet industry, hospitals, real estate, and banking. Throughout his life, leaders from all walks of life called upon Jack Turner to provide strong governance and direction to their organizations; and he always answered that call, agreeing to serve on numerous councils, advisory groups, and boards of trustees. His volunteer service was especially prominent in the areas of education and health care.
Whenever Jack Turner joined an organization, it was just a matter of time before his leadership abilities became apparent and he was voted into the chairmanship. In education, he was Chairman of Mercer University’s Board of Trustees, and he was Chairman of the Dalton State College Foundation, Inc. He was a Trustee at Shorter College; and, in 1994, he was inducted into the Dalton Education Foundation Hall of Fame as well as the Northwest Georgia Junior Achievement Hall of Fame.
Likewise, his chairmanships extended into health care. Mr. Turner is Past Chairman and a Life Associate of the Whitfield Health Care Foundation, Inc. He was Past Chair of the Hamilton Medical Center, Inc. and the Dalton-Whitfield County Hospital Authority. He was Past Chairman of the Georgia Hospital Association and received that organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 1978. He was a member of the House of Delegates of the American Hospital Association.
Similarly, he chaired banking organizations. He was Chairman and Director of the First National Bank of Dalton, Chairman and Director of the Bank of Dalton, and Chairman and Director of C.C. Financial, Inc. Mr. Turner was a Director of First Union National Bank of Georgia, and he was Vice Chair and Director of Allied Bancshares, Inc. and the First National Bank of Forsyth County.
Related to his service to education, health care, and banking, Mr. Turner was Past President of the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Carpet & Rug Institute, and Past President of the Georgia Ports Authority under Governor Joe Frank Harris. Originally employed by Cabin Crafts, Inc. for twenty years, Jack Turner ascended through that company’s management as Treasurer, Vice President, and eventually President.
Mr. Turner was a supportive member of the First Baptist Church of Dalton.
Jack was born on October 28, 1924 and was the only son of the late Jackson Parks Turner, Sr. and Jewel Cash Turner. He was preceded in death by his three sisters, Vera Turner Smith, Mildred Turner Ellis, and Frances Turner Causby. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Jack is survived by his nieces, Dee Anne Ellis Adams of Dalton, Linda Faye Smith Childs of Cumming, and nephew Gary Causby of Athens.
Jack Turner had three wives. There was Mildred, his first love, his youthful love, the establisher of his home fires, the mother of his children. There was Alloe, his wife of more than thirty years, his omnipresent travel companion. There was Wylene, his Auburn cheerleader, whom he married when he was eighty-years-old, whose vivacity sparked a giddy enthusiasm for life befitting middle schoolers. And at the end of his life, Jack and Mary Helen “Sis” Brown shared a deep and abiding friendship that allowed them to escort each other to their many Dalton activities.
Mr. Turner has three devoted daughters. Patricia Turner of Jacksonville, Florida; Janet Turner Walker (Andrew Walker) of Dalton, Georgia; and Karen Turner Booth (Frank Booth) of Gainesville, Georgia. He also has five grandchildren (Beau, Jamie, Drew, Whitney, and Brad) and two great grandchildren (Kline and Mila).
For his medical treatment at Hamilton Hospital and Regency Park, the Jack Turner family expresses gratitude to the staff at both of those institutions and especially to Special Friend, Mary Helen “Sis” Brown and Caregivers Melvia Heard, Kathy Boston, Kim Boston, and Morgan Boston for their indefatigable and unconditional support of our loved one.
Funeral services will be at 3 P.M. Thursday at the Dalton First Baptist Church with the Dr. Bill Ireland and the Rev. Phillip Cannon officiating.
Burial will follow in Whitfield Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends in the Atrium of the Church on Thursday from 12:30 until the Funeral at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to, Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 1168 Dalton GA 30722-1168, First Baptist Church of Dalton, P.O. Box 15 Dalton Ga 30722, Mercer University, 1400 Coleman Ave, Macon, Georgia 31207 or to Providence Ministries of Dalton 711 S, Hamilton St, Dalton, GA 30720.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.

Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.