Joshua Murray Turner

Joshua Murray Turner was born September 5, 1942 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas to parents Donnis J.B. and Nola (Murray) Turner.

Joshua Murray Turner was a handsome farm boy with a pretty smile and a quick wit. Born and raised in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, he attended John Brown University on a music scholarship where he met his future wife, Jerri Ericson. They were both music majors and traveled with the Harmonaires doing PR and student recruitment for JBU.

Murray and Jerri enjoyed the opportunity to travel and praise the Lord through music and were married on August 29th, 1964. They welcomed their first daughter, Tonnya, in August of 1965 and a son, Jeff, in April of 1968.

Murray and family were invited to be the musical portion of “Spiritual Life Crusades” with evangelist Mel Dibble and they traveled across America for the next several years in a 30-foot Avion travel trailer, singing and leading youth groups at many churches and camps.  He later served as the first music leader for Fellowship Bible Church pastored by Gene Getz.

Although Murray's music always remained an important part of his life, he also became a successful entrepreneur and started Joshua’s Wholesale selling printers trays and thousands of miniature collectables, many of which were handmade by local artists. During this season of life, Murray and Jerri welcomed their third child, Jenelle, in April of 1979.

Murray was athletic, funny, charming, and a loyal friend. He was a hardworking, smart, generous, and thoughtful man. Above all else he had a love and devotion to his savior, Jesus Christ and with that foundation he loved and served his family well.

He showed a unique strength and grace in the final 16 years of his life when he was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) in 2004.  This degenerative muscle disease took him from a cane to walker to power wheelchair as he became more and more profoundly disabled. He fought a tough battle with grace and endurance, never complaining and always finding creative ways to cope far beyond what anyone imagined.

Murray led by example, loved with ease, and served the Lord with humility all his life. He will be greatly missed. May his favorite verse, Romans 15:13, serve as a blessing to you today. “May the God of hope fill you with great joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”

Murray is survived by his loving wife Jerrilyn (Jerri) Sue Turner; children Tonnya Blaylock and her husband David, Jeff Turner and his wife Karen, Jeni Eberhard and her husband Mike; grandchildren Luke Blaylock and his wife Maxcey, Joshua Blaylock and his wife Caitlin, Essie, Naomi and Lily Turner, Baily, Peri, Sophie and Remington Helms and Hazel Eberhard; great grandchildren Brynlee, Shea, Charles and baby boy Joshua Blaylock who will be born in March 2021; brothers Donnis Turner, Jr. and his wife Thelma and John Mark Turner and his wife Kathy and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Murray will be laid to rest at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, Texas at a private family burial.

If desired, contributions may be made in Murray's name to John Brown University Scholarship Fund: www.jbu.edu/giving/scholarship or Samaritan's Purse, P O Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina   28607-3000