James I. "Jim" Turner Jr.

James I. Turner Jr., 65, went home to be with his Lord on April 26, 2026. He was born October 9, 1960 in Barberton, OH to the late James and Ruth (Garrison) Turner.

He graduated from Kenmore High School in 1979, where he was part of the audio/visual club. Jim attended the University of Akron for 2 years studying audio engineering. He was more of a hands on learner, and volunteered to work along side his dad and Kenny Melton in the Audio room of the Akron Baptist Temple. He worked on staff at the Akron Baptist Temple until 2012, when his health began to fail and he took disability. He took his talents to City Church AC, where he volunteered with Brent Malone on the sound system in the new building.

Jim’s first job was working for his Grandma Turner cleaning and doing yard work. As a teenager he expanded to doing yardwork for the widows in the neighborhood. As a youngster, Jim learned to play the drums for the majorette group, Charmettes. This was a family affair that laid the groundwork for the closeness in the siblings.

Dr. Charles Billington and Kenny Melton got Jim interested in the Ham radio club at Akron Baptist Temple. Jim later became president of the PARF club.

Jim enjoyed travelling to Connecticut, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and other New England states. Everywhere he went he would look for train rides to take. He enjoyed trying new restaurants as he travelled.

Jim enjoyed collecting stamps, coins and trains. Over the past few years, he began playing games on his IPAD.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Ruth Turner, and sister, Linda Turner. Jim is survived by his sisters, Patricia and Donna Turner; uncle, Martin Garrison of Myrtle Beach, SC and aunt, Marjorie Garrison of Buzzards Bay, Mass., and many cousins and friends. He will be missed by Linda’s cat, Dakota and the family dog, Bella.

His life verse - John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Friends may call Monday, May 4, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Newcomer, Akron Chapel, 131 N. Canton Rd with the service starting at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Dallas Billington and Pastor Ernie Kemppel officiating. Burial will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to City Church AC, 737 George Washington Blvd., Akron, Ohio 44312, in memory of Jim.

To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message with his family, please visit the guest book below.