Father James M. Turner, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales for 51 years and a priest for 43, died April 16. He was 72.
Born in Illinois, Father Turner moved to Delaware at a young age and attended Holy Rosary School and St. Edmond’s Academy before heading to Salesianum School, where he was a member of the track team. He joined the Oblates after graduating in 1973.
Father Turner was ordained in 1981 and returned to Salesianum, this time as a science teacher. He had ministered in education during his studies for the priesthood, having earned a degree in biology from Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales (now DeSales University).
In 1987, he moved into parish ministry and served as a parochial vicar at parishes in North Carolina and Virginia, as well as at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wilmington. He was named pastor of Our Lady of the Highways in Thomasville, N.C., in 2007 and remained there for 13 years. He moved to Virginia with his sister and brother-in-law, Debby and Ed Read, after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. He moved to the Oblates’ retirement center, Annecy Hall, in Childs, Md., last year, where he enjoyed walking around the property and completing jigsaw puzzles.
Funeral services were April 23 in Childs, with burial in the Oblate Cemetery. Donations in Father Turner’s memory can be made to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales at www.oblates.org.
