James Edward “Jimmy” Turner Jr was born at 1205 AM on October 11,1926 at his grandmother’s home in Denver, Indiana. He was the only child of James Edward Senior and Florence Turner who were residents of Roann at that time and throughout their entire lives. He grew up in the family home on Pike Street and spent his entire childhood and youth in Roann. He and his family were members of the Methodist Church. Florence was a mother and homemaker throughout her life and James Senior was the postmaster in Roann until the election of FDR caused him to lose his job. Jimmy and his dad then hit the road as carnies with James Senior guessing weights and Jimmy juggling, a skill he retained throughout all of his 95 years. In 1944 Jimmy graduated from Roann High School and joined the service as a Shipmates Electrician 2 in the Navy. He repaired ships that were damaged in combat and he served in the South Pacific until the conclusion of WW II. After the war, Jimmy returned to Indiana where he attended Manchester College and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. During these years he also taught mathematics at a local high school. He subsequently earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Indiana. Jimmy’s career took him to New Jersey where he enjoyed a long and robust career as a research biochemist and administrative leader. He also was a prolific inventor with more than thirty patents to his name, the most notable being the first quality control technology for arterial blood gas analyzers. During much of his adult life Jimmy lived a modest and unassuming lifestyle as a bachelor. His passion was travel and he explored many countries and cultures across the globe. His heart always remained in Roann however and he also travelled home regularly to see his parents and reconnect with cousins. In 1976 he married Meta Prevorsek, a research immunologist who was a colleague at work. Meta was a successful scientist and inventor in her own right who also shared Jimmy’s passion for travel. They enjoyed a very happy twenty years together residing in New Jersey, North Carolina and finally Oregon where Meta’s daughter and granddaughters lived. Very sadly Meta died prematurely in 1995. Jimmy made the decision to remain in the Pacific Northwest with his family and eventually he moved in with Judi, Meta’s daughter where he lived for the final 12 years of his life. During those years he introduced Judi and her daughters to Roann, attending 3 Roann school reunions over the years with them, and sharing many, many stories of his youth during their visits. Jimmy left us on May 10, 2022. He is survived by Judi, his granddaughters Kelly and Jillian and his great granddaughters, Elliana and Elin James. It was the wish of Meta and Jimmy that they be laid to final rest in the Roann Cemetery next to his parents, James Senior and Florence. The service with military honors will be held on Sunday, May 21 at 1430. Memorials may be given to the City of Roann or the Roann Park Project. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Roann.
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