88R20530 BPG-D
By: Darby H.R. No. 1001
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former State Representative Robert R. Turner of
Voss, an ardent champion of rural Texas, passed away on
June 19, 2022, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Born in Coleman on August 10, 1934, Bob Turner was
the son of Willard and Helen Turner; after graduating from high
school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of
lieutenant colonel during almost 35 years in the military; he
commanded a reserve unit, the 490th Civil Affairs Company, and
received the prestigious Silver Cross of Honor from Germany's armed
forces for his work in negotiations among the U.S., NATO, and
Germany during the Cold War; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Turner established Bob Turner's Western Wear in
1958 and ran the business for two decades; subsequently, he focused
on farming and ranching at the old homestead in Voss; he benefited
his community as president of the local school board and of the
chamber of commerce; having distinguished himself as vice president
of the Texas Farm Bureau, he was urged to enter a special election
for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1991; throughout
his 12-year tenure in office, he was a tireless advocate for his
constituents and all rural Texans; he chaired the Public Safety
Committee and served as vice chair of both the Land and Resource
Management Committee and the Select Committee on Military and
Veterans Affairs; his legislative accomplishments included bills
to enhance property rights, create a statewide insurance pool for
rural fire departments, and establish the Office of Rural Community
Affairs; in 1995, he secured passage of a bill that penalized
statements about agricultural products when proved false,
disparaging, and economically harmful; while in office, he loved to
talk up his famously hardworking staff, and even after he retired,
he continued to gather with them to catch up and reminisce; and
WHEREAS, In his next chapter, Mr. Turner founded a consulting
company to continue his efforts in behalf of rural interests; he
enjoyed working with such organizations as the Texas Sheep and Goat
Raisers Association, the Independent Cattlemen's Association, and
the Earthmoving Contractors Association of Texas; in addition, he
was executive director of the Coleman Development Company; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his first wife,
Ann Holt Turner, and his second wife, Mona Faye Cook Turner; he took
great pride in his three sons, Sam, Darrel, and Gary, as well as his
stepson, Steven Saloman, his seven grandchildren, and his
great-granddaughter; a man of faith, he led the singing at the
Methodist church in Voss, and his sonorous voice could make the
small congregation sound like a mighty choir; he also played
guitar, and back in the day, he often performed on radio station
KSTA and on Slim Willet's show on KRBC; through the years, he kept
in touch with old friends and former colleagues, serving as a father
figure to many and an inspiration to all; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his warmth, kindness, and wonderful
sense of humor, as well as his long record of service, Bob Turner
made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless people, and
his contributions will be remembered for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable
Robert R. Turner and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his
passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Robert R.
"Bob" Turner.