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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Johnnie L. 1
Turner. 2
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner was born on December 24, 1947, in Harlan County, 3
Kentucky, to the late Alonzo and Gladys Hyde Turner; and 4
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner grew up on Pine Mountain, the fourth of 11 5
children, and attended Pine Mountain Settlement School as well as the Red Bird Mission 6
School, where he worked on campus to pay for his books and tuition; and 7
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner forged a lifelong bond and love for the Red Bird 8
Mission School. There, he learned the value of a good work ethic and felt the school was 9
instrumental in shaping him into the person he became; and 10
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner served in the United States Army from 1967 to 11
1969, in the Panama Canal Zone, where he met the love of his life, Maritza, to whom he 12
was married for 55 years; and 13
WHEREAS, after serving his country, Johnnie L. Turner returned to Eastern 14
Kentucky and continued his education at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky, 15
where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1974. In 1977, 16
he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law; and 17
WHEREAS, while attending both Union College and the University of Kentucky, 18
Johnnie L. Turner worked at International Harvester in Indiana and often traveled back 19
and forth for work to support his family; and 20
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner was a family man who practiced law in Harlan 21
County for 46 years. He served as the Harlan County School Board attorney for over 20 22
years, and as the City of Cumberland attorney for a number of years; and 23
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner served in the Kentucky House of Representatives, 24
representing District 88 from 1999 to 2002, and also in the Kentucky State Senate, 25
representing District 29 from 2020 to 2024; and 26
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner was an advocate and champion for Eastern 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 2067
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Kentucky, which he felt should not be overlooked. He was especially fond of his 1
constituents from Harlan, Bell, Letcher, Knott, and Floyd Counties and was committed to 2
seeing their quality of life improve; and 3
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner loved developing relationships, whether that be in 4
Frankfort, at a University of Kentucky ball game, the courthouse, school, or a church. He 5
was a fierce protector of his family and provided them with a sense of security. He was 6
also a source of guidance who readily shared his wisdom and life experiences with those 7
around him; and 8
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner passed away on October 22, 2024, surrounded by 9
his wife, Maritza, and his three children, Yazmin, Susan, and Johnnie Turner, Jr., 10
following an accident where he was doing what he loved most, working outside and 11
taking care of his property and family; and 12
WHEREAS, Johnnie L. Turner was an extraordinary man who lived his life to the 13
fullest and his family, friends, and community mourn his passing; 14
NOW, THEREFORE, 15
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 16
Kentucky: 17
Section 1. The Senate hereby expresses its most profound sympathy upon the 18
passing of Johnnie L. Turner. 19
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 20
memory of Johnnie L. Turner. 21
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 22
Resolution to Senator Scott Madon for delivery to the family. 23