It is with great regret and sorrow that we must notify you of the death of our
Classmate, Jack Turnage, on February 16, 2023, in Augusta, GA.
Jack is survived by his wife Helen; his son John Jr. (USAFA ’88) and his wife
Deann (USAFA '88); his daughter Annalyle Andrews and her husband Chris; his
daughter Emilie McCombs and her husband William (USAFA '94); and his
grandchildren Adelaide Turnage, John Turnage III, Bennett McCombs, Calvin
McCombs, Dunn Andrews, Annie Andrews, and Isaac Turnage. He was predeceased by
his son Taylor.
Visitation will be at 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM, February 20, 2023 at St. Mary on the
Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 PM, February 20, 2023 at St. Mary
on the Hill Catholic Church.
Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.
Condolences may be sent to Helen at 1120 Glenn Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904-4614.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jack's memory be sent to St
Mary on the Hill Catholic School: 1220 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904 or
Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904.
Well done, Jack. Be thou at peace.
Remembrances:
Class Memorial Pages\H-2 Jack Turnage.pdf
Obituaries:
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Thursday, February 16, 2023, Colonel John
O’Neill “Jack” Turnage (USA RET), age 83, husband of 29 years to Helen Daniel
Turnage. He was a brother to Benjamin Whitfield Turnage, and a father to four
children: John O’Neill Turnage, Jr, Annalyle Turnage Andrews, Emilie Bennett
McCombs and the late Taylor Whitfield Turnage (2020). Papa was also a
grandfather to 11 wonderful grandchildren.
Jack was born in Colon, Panama in 1939. He was the son of MG Benjamin O. Turnage,
Jr. (USA RET) and Adelaide O’Neill Plumb, and lived and served throughout the
United States and abroad—over 30 places in his lifetime. Jack earned his
bachelor’s degree from The United States Military Academy at West Point in 1961
and a master’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in
1976. Jack retired from the Army in 1985 as a Colonel after serving a
distinguished 24 year career. He was a Ranger and both a fixed and rotary wing
pilot, finishing his time on active duty as Commanding Officer, Aviation
Development Test Activity. Jack was a Project Manager and Test Pilot when the US
Army transitioned from the UH-1 Huey to the UH-60 Blackhawk, and served two
tours in Vietnam. During his career, he was awarded The Distinguished Flying
Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal w/10 Oak Leaf
Clusters. He worked for a short while after his time on active duty for the
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company as Manager of their St. Louis Operations
before coming to Augusta in 1994, where he started a payroll company with his
wife, Helen. Jack was a true gentleman who will be remembered for his love for
Helen, his sense of humor, his precision model-building skills, and his ability
to be instantly liked by those around him.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 12:00 noon
at St Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross celebrant, Fr David
Arnoldt preaching. Inurnment will follow at the church columbarium. The family
will receive Monday, from 11:30 AM until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St Mary on the Hill Catholic School: 1220
Monte Sano Ave, Augusta, GA. 30904 or Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Ave,
Augusta, Ga 30904
