Born February 27, 1953, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Raymond (Ray) Clinton Turner was the eldest of Donald and Juan Turner’s seven children. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized at Sabathani Baptist Church in Minneapolis. He was called into ministry later in life. Raymond was educated in Minneapolis Public Schools, attending Grant, Lincoln, and North High. He attended Mankato State University where he met and married Nancy. God blessed their union with two children, Dominique, and Donita. Ray was an excellent athlete, playing football and was a phenomenal gymnast, specializing in the Rings, with a perfect Iron Cross. He placed 1st in the state. He earned a black belt in Taekwondo and was a master of the Praying Mantis martial arts. Ray was an accomplished musician, playing the upright bass. His musical ability garnered him a position with the Minneapolis Youth Symphony for several years. Ray had a signature, million-dollar smile that invariably impacted everyone he met. His smile was infectious, inviting, and won over all who met him.
His smile garnered him opportunities to work with various businesses like Pepsi Co., Kirby Vacuum, and Building Construction magazine. He was an entrepreneur, businessman, and a self-taught carpenter. Ray built fisheries and canneries in Alaska and worked as a Recreation Director on the Exxon Valdez clean up. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Juan Turner. He leaves to cherish his loving and precious memory: two beloved and adored children, Dominique (Angie) Turner of Hager, Wisc. and Donita (John) Fuentes of Woodland Hills, CA; four grandchildren, Kayli and Koby Turner, Cole and Merrick Mason, all of Hager; three brothers, Donald Turner Jr. (Geneva) of St. Paul, Ronald (Michelle) Turner of Detroit, Steve Anthony (Veronica) Haughton of Savage, Minn.; three sisters, Juan (Ita) Effiom, Yvonne Turner, and Yvette Turner of Minneapolis. Also, cherishing his memory are an aunt, Nell Witherspoon of Las Vegas, and an uncle, Harvey Witherspoon, Jr. (Lorraine) of Minneapolis, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.