Neil Turns

Vincent Neil Turns, 84, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 12, 2015. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Forney on Monday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church of Forney on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. with the burial immediately following at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Brother Jerry D. Griffin officiating. Neil Turns was born February 18, 1931 in Dallas, Texas.He was the son of Vincent Callaway Turns and Hazel Bertie Turns (Brooks).He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Ray D. Turns, and Tom G. Turns. Neil is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Turns (Cunningham), daughters, Charlotte Shipley and husband Tim, Laura Ivie, and husband David, Emily Whitson and husband Steve, all of Forney.Six grandchildren, James Timothy Shipley, Jr., Samuel Alan Ivie, Sarah Grace Ivie, Sophia Marie Ivie, Allison Beth Whitson and Thadius Harvard Whitson.Nephew, Russell Dwayne Turns of Grapevine. Neil graduated from Forest Avenue High School in Dallas in 1948.He was a war veteran in the United States Navy during the Korean War.He retired in 1994 after 35 years of service at LTV Energy Products in Garland, Texas. Neil accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a young boy and he served Christ throughout his life.For many years, he was a Sunday school teacher at Pleasant Grove First Baptist Church in Dallas, then continued to serve in other roles at the First Baptist Church of Forney. He was a dependable and steadfast husband to Sandra, and passed away on their 56th wedding anniversary.As a father, he was humble, gentle, and loving.His words of advice were carefully chosen and full of wisdom.He was extremely proud of all 3 of his daughters.As a granddaddy, he took great pride in all of his grandchildren and loved to celebrate their accomplishments. He had a great passion for sports, especially ice hockey and baseball.He was the 1957 Intermural Horseshoe Champion at the University of Texas.He also had a great love for trains, music, rock collections, reading maps, and playing 42 with his friends. His illness was long, and caused many limitations in his life, however, he never complained about his situation, not even once. Today, we rejoice in the reunion that he is experiencing in heaven.As his family, we take great comfort knowing he is perfectly healed and in the presence of our Lord and Savior.