Turner Mann, longtime OPEA member and an OPEAPAC Trustee, passed away suddenly last week. We last saw turner at our Lobby Day on February 22nd as he advocated on behalf of members both active and retired. He told us that he was going to Florida later that week for his daughter’s wedding. OPEA staff and members will miss him not only for his dedication to our association but for his friendship. His family and friends are in our prayers. The following memorial was written for Turner’s services.
Mann, Arthur Turner 72, of Midwest City, OK died March 2, 2017 in Oklahoma City, OK. Born on November 15, 1944 in Madill, OK to Arthur and Julia Mann. Turner graduated Midwest City High School in 1963 where he was a percussionist for the Bombers and in the Navy ROTC. He followed in his father’s footsteps and immediately enlisted in the Navy on January 1964 serving on the USS Midway during the Vietnam War as a Corpsman. He disembarked the USS Midway in January 1966 in Alameda, CA and met his Naval reserve obligation through November 1967. After his discharge, he earned his instructors pilot license and commercial pilot license, and enjoyed teaching and transporting people across the country. He then enrolled at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he continued to study aviation. There he met his wife, Charlotte Young and they were married on September 3, 1970 for 35 years. They moved to Oklahoma City, where he worked while completing his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Central Oklahoma. After graduating, Turner worked on the Oklahoma City Campus Police and the State of Oklahoma as an Investigator for the Department of Human Services where he retired after over 25 years of employment.
Turner served on the Midwest City Council, Ward 2 from 2000 to 2012 where he was on the Board of Adjustment from May 2013 to January 2015 and the Planning Commission from April 2012 until his death. Turner also served on the Midwest City Rotary Club and the Gideon International Ministry where he traveled the country and to the Philippians to help make the word of God available to everyone. He was an active member of the USS Midway Veteran Association and recently became President of Squadrons and Shipmates. He was a long-time member and deacon at Meadowood Baptist Church in Midwest City and later a member of the Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City where he taught several adult singles programs. Turner stayed on the move and was always looking forward to a camping adventure where he could fish and hike. He especially enjoyed trips to the mountains in Durango, CO with his family and the beaches in Panama City Beach, FL where his daughter and her husband live. Turner will be remembered for his love of the Lord, his family, his friends, his military comrades and his community. Turner was preceded in death by his parents and his aunt, Gladys Wilhite. Turner is survived by his two children, Trevor Mann and Amy Helms, son in-law Scott Helms, grand-daughter Courtney Mann and sister Lena Mann.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Meadowood Baptist Church with internment following at Arlington Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Midwest City Rotary Club for local charities.
Thank you Turner for your service to your country, the State of Oklahoma, your community and the Oklahoma Public Employees Association. We are all better off for having worked with you and enjoyed your friendship.
