Jerry Mitchell Turner, 84 of Highland Beach Florida, passed away at home on July 21, 2020.
Born December 20, 1935 in Winston Salem, NC, the son of Vardry Mitchell and Mattie Irvin Turner. In 1954 Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Mary Vann MacLaughlin. He attended North Carolina State University and graduated in 1959 with a degree in Landscape Architecture, one of a graduating class of 3. He and Mary made Raleigh their home and in 1969 he founded Jerry Turner and Associates (JTA), Landscape Architects and Land Planners. For the next 51 years as President of JTA he oversaw the planning and development of hundreds of projects throughout the southeastern United States but especially in Raleigh and Cary. He was active in the Raleigh Lions Club and an avid Jaguar enthusiast (owning at least 20 different Jaguars throughout the years). In 1997 he was honored as a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. In 1975 he served as president of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He was on the board of directors NC Design foundation (1987-1988), the Home Builders Association of Raleigh & Wake County (1987-1988) and the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce (1985-1986). He was also a founding member of the City of Raleigh Greenway Commission. In 2015 he and Mary moved permanently to Highland Beach, Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Mary M. Turner, three children, Debora Turner Oster and husband Clint, Gregory Mitchell Turner and wife Dawn and Karen Turner Roberson and husband Keith. Four grandchildren, Carey Mitchell Oster and wife Coral, Christopher Lewis Oster, Dylan Mitchell Turner and Kasey Van Norris Turner and 2 great grandchildren, Pearl Vanda Oster and Clint Finn Oster.
There will be a graveside service Saturday August 1 at 9 am at Raleigh Memorial Cemetery. Masks are required and please follow social distancing guidelines.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County.
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