Jack Rush Turney

Jack was a native of Garrett County. The youngest of four sons born to Roy C. Turney and Cora Rush Turney, he was born on the family farm in Accident.

A veteran of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17. Following his discharge, Jack attended Western Maryland College on a senatorial scholarship where he graduated in 1956. He then used his GI bill to attend The George Washington University School of Law graduating in 1959. After passing the bar, Jack was hired at the Bureau of Land Management, a division of the Department of Interior. His position at the Bureau of Land Management took him to Alaska, where he worked as a land law examiner marking and registering the land claims of homesteaders in the former territory that had recently become the 49th State of the United States.

Returning to Oakland and the County he loved, Jack opened a solo law practice in 1960. He maintained his practice until he was appointed Judge of District Court of the 12th District in 1982. Following his judicial retirement in 1993, he then re-established his law practice. Jack ran for and was elected as a Judge on the Orphan's Court in 2018 where he continued to serve until his death -- a position his father had held during his lifetime as well.

Jack was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Oakland. A lifetime member of the Lutheran faith, he joined and became an active member in a Lutheran Church wherever he lived whether it was in Accident, Alaska or Oakland.

Jack felt strongly about service to the community and was a member of a number of civic organizations over the years such as the Board of the Garrett County Commissioners where he served for over 55 years. He also served on the boards of Dove Center and Hospice of Garrett County.

An active member of the American Legion for over 60 years, Jack held various positions during that time. One of the most meaningful of positions he held over the years was as a member of the Honor Guard where he played Taps on the bugle at the funerals of veterans. Jack was also a master logger, an author, and was working on two books and one short story.

Jack is survived by his four children: Marta Turney, Brantly Rush Turney and wife Laurie, Michele Messenger and husband Reginald, and Kurk Turney and wife Carrie; seven grandchildren: Kellan Rush Turney, Kristin Messenger and husband Emmanual Fonseca, Cole Messenger and wife Kasiah, Max Messenger and wife Mary, Kendall, Bryce and Aiden Turney; and eight great-grandchildren: Waverly, Rip and Fin Messenger, William, Beau and Wesley Messenger, Ansel Rush Turney, and Arch Rush Turney.

In lieu of flowers, Jack requested that donations be made to the St. Mark's Lutheran Church 6 Second St., Oakland, MD 21550 or Hospice of Garrett County PO Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550.

Friends will be received on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes, P.A., - Oakland Chapel. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11 AM in St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Oakland with Pastor Carrie Hoff officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service.

The Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Turney Family.