| Roy Turner | |
|---|---|
| 13th Governor of Oklahoma | |
| In office 1947–1951 |
|
| Preceded by | Robert S. Kerr |
| Succeeded by | Johnston Murray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 6, 1894 Lincoln County, Oklahoma |
| Died | June 11, 1973 (aged 78) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Religion | Methodism |
Roy Joseph Turner (November 6, 1894–June 11, 1973) was the 13th Governor of Oklahoma.
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Turner was born on November 6, 1894 in Lincoln County, Oklahoma Territory. Upon completion of his high school education, he attended Hill's Business College in Oklahoma City. He was a bookkeeper for Morris Parking Company in Oklahoma City from 1911–1915 and a salesman for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company there.
After his service in World War I, he was a dealer in real estate, principally in Oklahoma, Florida and Texas. By 1928, he established the Turner Ranch at Sulphur, Oklahoma but he maintained a residence in Oklahoma City where he served on the Board of Education from 1939 to 1946. His term as governor of Oklahoma was from January 13, 1947 to January 8, 1951. From July 14–18, 1949, he appeared on several radio and TV programs in New York City, including Toast of the Town, to promote his single, "My Memory Trail", released on the Beacon Music label.[1]
Turner lived in Oklahoma City until his death June 11, 1973 and is buried in Rose Hill Burial Park there.
The 88-mile Turner Turnpike, a section of Interstate 44 between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, was named for Turner in commemoration of efforts during his administration that led to the construction of the toll road between the state's two largest cities. The turnpike opened to traffic in 1953, two years after his term as governor ended.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert S. Kerr |
Governor of Oklahoma 1947–1951 |
Succeeded by Johnston Murray |
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