Philip Larry Turner, 84

Philip Larry Turner, 84, Elliott, passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at the Stanton Care Center with his wife and family by his side.  
Larry was born July 7, 1938, to Philip Cyrus and Viola Turner of Elliott.  Larry Turner grew up near Elliott working on the family farm and attending school in Stennett. Larry was a standout athlete and student through high school and would later attend Iowa State University and University of Nebraska Omaha where he played and coached basketball and was a member of ROTC.
After graduation from college, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., in 1964.  Larry was commissioned as a second lieutenant and was awarded a flight contract that same year.  Larry attended flight training in Pensacola, Fla., where he learned how to fly the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, the Bell TH-13M and Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter.  
During his time in Pensacola, he met Judith (Egge), and they were married on Aug. 10, 1963, at the Naval Air Station Saufley Chapel.  Larry earned his Wings of Gold on April 28, 1964, and was sent to Marine Corps Air Station Santa Ana, Calif.  Larry was assigned to fly the Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter with HMM-362, “The Ugly Angels.”  He was deployed to Vietnam in August 1965, was shot down eight times and awarded 29 Air Medals and a Purple Heart. Upon returning to the States, he was promoted to Captain and retired from the military in July 1967.  
Larry and Judy moved their family to Elliott and spent the next 59 years raising their family of eight children.  They were very active in the community of Elliott and Griswold with school and church functions.  Larry started Turner Copter Service and continued to fly helicopters, spraying crops, and doing heavy lift work all over the midwest.  
Larry loved to garden, play softball, and watch his children/grandchildren play high school and college sports.  In August of 2020, Larry was inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame.
  Philip Larry Turner is survived by his wife, Judith Turner of Elliott; two daughters, Jan McDonald of Niceville, Fla. and Elizabeth Lemelin (David) of Wasilla, Alaska; four sons, Jonathan Simpkins of Miami, Fla.; James Turner (Julie) of Adel; Philip Turner (Penny Davids) of Red Oak and Nicholas Turner (Kimberly) of State Center; two daughters-in-law, Susan Simpkins of Miami, Fla.; and Julie Turner of Omaha, Neb.; 14 grandchildren, Jill (Frank), Karen, Tim (Melissa), Danica (Hugo), Darren, Grant, Alex, Thomas, Zackary, Alyssa, McKenzie (Storm), Trevor, Addison and Tyler; nine great-grandchildren: Kalli, Kara, Braylon, Adelyn, Cooper, Natalia, Hadlee, Bentley and Maverick; sister, Diane McCunn of Orion, Ill.; sister-in-law, Marla Turner of Elliott, two brothers, Todd (Terri) Turner of Red Oak, and Tracy Turner (Sherri) of Elliott; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Viola Turner; two sons, Timothy Turner and Michael Simpkins; son-in law, Timothy McDonald; grandson, Peter Simpkins; brother, Douglas Turner; and brother-in-law, Myron McCunn.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Elliott Church of Christ in Elliott.  Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery with military honors.  
Visitation with the family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation, the Elliott First Responders, or the Iowa Aviation Museum.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.