ROBERT R. TURLEY

January 14, 1943 to March 19, 2022

Warr Acres, Oklahoma

Robert's Obituary

Robert "Bob" Raynior Turley, 79, of Warr Acres, OK died March 19, 2022, at Integris Baptist Medical Center. Born in Carthage, MO January 14, 1943, to Lona Irema Butler and Lewey Turley. Bob grew up in Cushing, OK after surviving April 12, 1943, Antlers, OK tornado in which his father was killed. He served in the US Navy on the USS Lyman K Swenson and in 1970 completed a Business Administration baccalaureate degree at Central State University. His primary career was insurance sales and management spending 37 years with Farmers Insurance Group as Agent; District Manager; Division Agency Manager; Regional Agency Manager; and Regional Sales Manager relocating from Oklahoma City to St Louis, MO, Austin, TX, Kansas City, KS; returning to Oklahoma City in 1985. Bob retired in 2007. He struggled with COPD for over 25 years and valiantly battled Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) diagnosed in November 2020.

Over the years Bob wore many hats not only as husband, father and provider but as a coach on and off the football & baseball field, basketball court, and golf course.  He was an incredible card and scrabble player along with being a championship swimmer, billiards player, detailed organizer, and always, “The Dancer”! He loved the beach and the ocean. He enjoyed water and snow skiing, traveling, golf, and was an OSU Cowboy fan through and through! Humor was Bob’s gift which he used continually whether it was his wife, sons, grandchildren, in-laws, coworkers, friends, nurses, doctors or just the person in line at the store. He did not hold back laughing at his own expense or repeating the punch line. His laugh was wonderfully contagious. He was a social person and “class comedian”. Health limitations may have hindered his activities but never stopped his antics.

The most important connection in his life was his family. From the time he and Janet met, it was the two of them taking the journey of life together. Their life encompassed 56 years including two sons and 4 incredible grandchildren. All of which they adored and spoiled endlessly. They both would rejoice at the births, graduations, marriages and hold on to each other during hard times including the tragic death of their son, Brian, in 2008. Bob's family is certain he has been welcomed and embraced by Brian in eternal life where the hugs, love, and laughter are never-ending! We will miss him forever yet are joyous he is free. This kind, funny, handsome, strong, and tender man left this world after a full day filled with hugs, kisses, tears, and laughter easing the departure of this treasured man. We will miss him forever yet are joyous he is free!

Bob was preceded in death by cherished son Brian R. Turley, his parents, two brothers Leon and Don McWhirt and nephew Wesley McWhirt. He is survived by his lovely and loving wife Janet Turley and treasured son, Eric Turley along with adored grandchildren Evan and Owen, Brooke and Kennedy. He was especially close to sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Jeanne & Don Croka, Melissa & Lynn Carpenter. In addition, he is survived by nieces and nephews Marshall, Sam and Kenzie Carpenter, Jill Croka Murphy and Matt Croka, and Dionne Craig, Darren and Kymer McWhirt, and Meryl McWhirt Fears.

Bob and the immediate family are thankful to those who cared for him at Integris: pulmonologist Nancy Nagle MD, 7 West, 10 East, and 601 ICU Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Radiology Department, and all support staff. Appreciation also to his two caring family members RNs Ellen Turley & Roberta McWhirt.

Donations may be made to the Brian R Turley, MD Scholarship at University of Kansas School of Medicine Endowment PO Box 928 Lawrence KS 66044 or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500 Chicago, Ill 60611.

A celebration of life service will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 127 NW 7th, OKC, Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 3:00 pm.