Les Turner

Leslie Howard "Les" Turner, age 67, of Lamar, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin.      Les was born December 17, 1943, at Independence, Missouri to Clifford and Florence (Rice) Turner.  In his youth, he was active in scouting and earned the distinction of becoming an Eagle Scout.  After graduating from William Chrisman High School in 1961 he attended the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg.  Les enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964, serving more than three years overseas as part of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign.  His 26 year military career was completed in the Naval Reserve.      On August 12, 1972, at Independence, Missouri, Les married Charlene (Schorzman) Quarles and they owned and operated Lamar Hardware - Gamble's Store for 10 years.  In addition to the store, Les worked for O'Sullivan Industries for 28 years and also raised cattle and hogs.  An avid outdoorsman, he was a skilled marksman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Les was a former member of Lamar Rotary Club and an active member of Lamar Eagles Lodge.  He attended Lamar United Methodist Church and Oakton United Methodist Church for many years and was currently attending Lamar Family Ministries.       Les and Charlene had celebrated nearly 37 years together before Charlene passed away June 2, 2009.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, Clifford & Florence Turner.      Survivors include two sons, Paul Turner and Eric & wife Kellie Turner, all of Lamar; a brother, Jerry Turner, Warrensburg, Missouri; a sister, Judy & husband Xavier Narutowicz, Punta Gorda, Florida; eight grandchildren,  Michael Turner, BreAnna Ware, Ashley Turner, Kale Turner, Mykela Passley, Macy DeFratus, Kara Turner, and Seth Duncan; two great-grandchildren, Emersyn and Dontay Ware; and a large extended family.      Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday December 10th at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday.  Burial with full military honors will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to the charity of the donor's choice in care of Daniel Funeral Home.