John Scott Turner

John Scott Turner (Scott or Scotty) died surrounded by family on Nov 2, 2026. Scott was born Dec 9, 1937, to Roger and Harvene Turner in Fort Worth, TX, the second of 5 children. Scott’s father was a civil engineer working on highway projects, and the family moved frequently when Scott was young. Scott shared particularly fond memories of living in Baton Rouge, LA, where he first joined the track team and played the cornet and French Horn in the band. He was a lifelong runner and lover of music. He graduated from Paschal High School in Fort Worth, TX, in 1956, where he continued running track (the third leg of the relay team) and formed enduring friendships. He attended Texas Tech University and met his future wife Dorcas on a blind date. They married on Dec 23, 1960.

Scott completed bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics at Texas Tech and the family, which now included an infant daughter, Michele, packed up and moved to Los Angeles where Scott worked as a financial analyst for Douglas Aircraft. Scott always took an interest in commercial aircraft after his time at Douglas and his children recall that he loved to talk to them about the aircraft they were seeing during airport layovers.

Scott took a leave of absence from his job at Douglas and completed a PhD in economics at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, TX. He intended to return to a job in industry but instead entered academia. He took a position as an assistant professor in the College of Business at Oklahoma State University, and the family moved to Stillwater, OK, where their second daughter, Jennifer, was born. Scott started running again during this time and he and Dorcas together with their daughters were confirmed in the Catholic Church and became members of St. John's University Parish.

Scott took a break from academics in the 1970s and worked as an economist at the United States Treasury in Washington D.C. While living in Arlington, VA, their son Scott and their daughter Mary Elizabeth were born. While living in Virginia, Scott continued to run, spending lunch hours jogging around the capital and often running home from work carrying his briefcase. Scott left his position at the Treasury in 1977 and returned to OSU as a full professor with tenure. He retired in 2005.

In retirement, Scott pursued many interests. He studied astronomy and loved sitting in the hot tub in the backyard looking at the stars with Dorcas. He learned about geology and collected rocks everywhere he traveled. He and Dorcas watched many Great Courses, learning about history, science, and philosophy, and Scott read widely with a special interest in military history. He carried on conversations with friends and family and renewed friendships from his high school days. He volunteered on the parish council at their local church and served as a Stephens Minister. He and Dorcas were closely involved in a small faith community at the parish. He undertook an oral history project and spoke to local veterans about their experiences. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Scott and Dorcas moved to Portland, OR, in 2016, to be closer to their daughters, Michele and Mary. Scott was a member of The Madeleine Parish in Portland and volunteered with St Vincent de Paul preparing meals for the unhoused. Scott loved the natural beauty of Oregon and he enjoyed sitting in his yard (often with family) watching the birds and receiving visits from the neighbor's cat.

Throughout his life, Scott modeled compassion, kindness, generosity, and curiosity. He frequently stated how lucky he was to be married to Dorcas and to be living a wonderful life. He especially loved to hear people’s stories. In his later years, he liked to travel the world virtually via video walking tours of places far and near.

Scott was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in 2008 and received aggressive treatment that saved his life and gave him 18 years of health post-cancer. His ultimate decline was caused by residual effects of treatment that made it difficult to eat and then to breathe. He met his health challenges with grace and bravery and passed away shortly after electing to move to comfort care treatment.

He was predeceased by his parents and by his older brother Roger. He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years Dorcas, his children Dr Michele Sharp, Jennifer Wilson, Dr Scott P Turner and Dr Mary Elizabeth Turner; his children’s spouses Roger Sharp, David Wilson, Kathy Turner and Heath Harrelson; his grandchildren Kristen Sharp, Cullen Sharp, Isabella Turner, Maggie Turner and Tabitha Wilson, and by Kristen's partner, Kelly Meinz, and Cullen's partner, Xinyi Xu. He is also survived by his siblings Helen Mountford, Lee Turner, and Ward Turner, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at the Madeline Church in Portland, Oregon, 20 November, at 11:00, followed by a reception at the church and interment at Mt. Calvery Cemetery. Donations in Scott's honor would be welcome at St. Vincent de Paul of Portland: https://www.svdppdx.org/make-a-donation