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A. Keith Turkett

   JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Dr. A. Keith Turkett, 84, of Johnson City, Tenn., died on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 in Johnson City, Tenn. A celebration of life service will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, June 5, 2015 in the Sunrise Chapel of Tetrick Funeral & Cremation Services, Johnson City, with Pastor Jeremy Dykes, Jackson Park Church of the Brethren; Dr. Jonathan Feathers, First United Methodist Church of Johnson City, and Rev. Patty Muse, Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church of Johnson City, officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home chapel on Friday from 5 p.m. until the service hour at 7 p.m. A committal and interment service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Washington County Memory Gardens.
   A native of Vernon, Turkett was the son of the late Tom H. and Lillie Reeves Turkett. In 1971, he moved to Johnson City to teach in the College of Education at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). He was also chair and professor of the Department of Education and later of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He earned three degrees from the University of North Texas, Denton, and taught and was an administrator in Texas and Tennessee schools, including Vernon Public Schools, University of North Texas, Sam Houston State University, Texas Christian University, West Texas State University and ETSU.
   Turkett’s active and reserve military service was in the United States Army from 1952 to 1960. He was awarded the Meritorious Service ribbon with medal pendant, Good Conduct ribbon and the National Defense ribbon.
   Turkett was a life member and officer of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Society in Education. He served as vice president for Chapter Development, president-elect, president, and advisory counselor from 1968 to 1978. Later he chaired the Kappa Delta Pi International Educational Foundation. Locally he was a counselor of Beta Lota Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi at ETSU. He was a charter life member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Beta Chapter, at the University of North Texas. He and his wife were former Danforth Associates. In retirement, Turkett was a volunteer at the patient information desk at the Johnson City Medical Center, a member of Mended Hearts, Meals on Wheels, United Methodist Church Melting Pot, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and Jonesborough International Storytelling Center. He and his wife were members and former Lay Directors of the United Emmaus Community.
   Survivors include his wife, Shirley Miller Turkett; a daughter, Angela Kennedy of Grosse Pointe, Mi; a son, Clayton Miller Turkett of Johnson City, and two grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Carlos Turkett.
   Pallbearers will be Graham Bannister, Palma Bennett, Jim Carmichael, Harold Carter, Brad Hasty, Dr. Michael Fowler and Rev. Jeff McNabb. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Win-A-Kuple Sunday School Class and Cecil Blankenship.
   Memorials may be made to the charity of choice or to the Homeless Ministry of First Christian Church, 200 E. Mountcastle Dr., Johnson City, TN 37601
   Condolences may be made at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.

 

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