James “Jim” Larry Turnbull, 86, passed away January 11, 2022 at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born September 13, 1935 outside of Stockton, to Irvin Franklin and Montie Ellen (Atteberry) Turnbull.
Jim was a 1953 graduate of Stockton High School, and attended Fort Hays State University, Hays. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1958. On August 29, 1959, Jim married Judith May Watkins in Great Bend. They shared over 62 years of marriage. In December, 1962 they adopted their daughter, Stacey.
Jim worked as a store manager for the J.C. Penney Company. In 1975 he opened his own department store, Turnbull’s Toggery, in Blue Earth, MN. In 1984 Jim and Judy moved to Plainville, where he owned Turnbull Tire and Supply. He then became the administrator of Plainville Rural Hospital and later moved to Hoisington, to assume the CEO position at Clara Barton Hospital. The conference center there is named after Jim. After retiring, he continued to work in various hospitals as an interim chief executive officer. Jim was a member of the Shriners in Blue Earth, MN, and Plainville and Hoisington; the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Plainville and Hoisington, and the American Legion in Blue Earth, MN. He was also a member of Journey Mennonite Church, South Hutchinson.
Jim enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing, gardening, playing cards and board games, and woodworking. He was proud to have had the opportunity to participate in the Kansas Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Jim thoroughly loves his family and of the many titles he was known by his most cherished were son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.
Jim is survived by his wife, Judy M. Turnbull of South Hutchinson; daughter Stacey (Doug) of Plainville; grandchildren Seth (Catherine) Keas, Jared Keas and Amy (Jesse) Arbogast; great-grandchildren Dawson, Audra and Brenden Keas and Bryleigh and Oakleigh Arbogast; sister Karrol Kirk of Hutchinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and six sisters.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 11:00 am Monday, January 17, 2022 at Journey Mennonite Church, 808 Poplar, South Hutchinson, with Pastor Eric Miller officiating. Burial, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard, will be 1:00 pm Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery, 403 S. 13th St. Wakeeney.
Friends may sign the book from 9 am to 5 pm Thursday, January 13, 2022 through Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Elliott Mortuary and from 2pm to 4 pm Sunday, January 16, 2022 with the family present at church.
To view the funeral service online, go to the following link on the church’s YouTube site: https://youtu.be/l4m95k5JjqM The service will be available at 10:50 a.m. on the day of the service.