Erath " A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Gurvis Joseph Turner, Jr., 69, will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Broussard officiating. Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 11:00AM until 10:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 6:00PM and 7:00PM by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation will resume on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 8:00AM until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum with military graveside rites conducted by members of the Derouen-Moss American Legion Post 279. A native of New Orleans and resident of Erath, Gurvis passed away at 7:41PM on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at his residence. Gurvis was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle who loved spending time with his family and many close and dear friends when ever possible, as well as his faithful and loyal companions Pongo, Ziggy and Allie. Gurvis enjoyed hunting, fishing, football, and traveling " both abroad and here in the United States; he also enjoyed helping family and friends - no task was too large or too small, if he could help, Gurvis was there; and last but not least, Gurvis loved to cook, which we can all agree he highly excelled in. We will all miss his delicious meals and pastries which he enjoyed preparing for all of us throughout the years, especially for the holidays. Mr. Turner served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1967 during the Vietnam Conflict. Gurvis served aboard the USS Boxer LPH4 to Guantanomo Bay, Cuba - Vieques, Puerto Rico " Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic " St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - St. John, Antigua " Port de France, Martinique " Bridgetown, Barbados " and Port au Spain, Trinidad. He served aboard the USS Cambria APA 36 to Aranci Bay, Sardinia " Valleta, Malta " Napels, Italy " Barcelona, Spain " Almeria, Spain " Cannes, France " Genoa, Italy " Porto Scudo, Sardinia - and Piraeus, Greece. He also served on the USS Underwood LST1178, USS Spiegel Grove LSD 32 and the USS Yancey APA During the Cuban Crisis. Citations and medals earned were, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, and Letter of Appreciation from the CO, USS Yancey on 12 July 63. After being discharged from the U.S.M.C., Gurvis worked in the oilfield in the wire line division from 1967 until approximately 2000. During this time Gurvis, his wife Cynthia and their third child, Gus , were able to live overseas in Singapore while Gurvis worked in Malasia, Indonesia including the islands of Java and Samatra, New Guinnea, and Thailand. From 1992 to 1996 Gurvis started driving 18-wheelers across country enabling Gurvis and his wife, Cynthia to pursue their love of traveling across much of the United States until he was disabled in 2000 due to Cancer. Gurvis joined the Derouen-Moss American Legion Post 279 of Erath in 2004, was a life member and was elected Commander in 2005, a post which he proudly and honorably held up until the time of his death; he was a PUFL member in the Marine Corps League Post 1079 Lt. Dronet Detachment of Erath to which he served as Sr. Vice Commandant until he was elected Commandant of the detachment in 2009; he also belonged to the Military order of the Devil Dogs; Gurvis was a 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 3872 of Erath and a 4th Degree Knight of the Rev. A. J. Braquet Assembly of Lafayette; a life member of the Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge 192 of Abbeville; and life member in the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 279 of Erath to which he served as squadron commander in 2010. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Cynthia Callahan Turner of Erath; two sons, Charles Boo Lucas Turner and his wife Tori Jackson Turner of Malbourne, Florida and Gurvis Gus Turner III and his wife Dinah Mergist Turner of Erath; a daughter, Rebecca Anne Hebert of Lafayette; seven granddaughters, Cristen Laree Turner, Holly Nicole Turner and Caroline Augusta Turner of Melbourne, Florida, Tabitha Paige Hebert of Rayne, Ashlee Michelle Hebert and Hilary Brooke Hebert of Lafayette, and Lillian Lilly Turner of Erath; one grandson, Matthew Bryce Turner of Erath; four great granddaughters and one great grandson; a brother, Charles Phillip Turner and his wife Faye of Lafayette and a nephew Christopher Turner of Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gurvis Gus Turner, Sr. and Lula Meyers Turner; godfather/uncle, Roy Meyers and wife Liza/Nan-nan. Serving as pallbearers will be his fellow members with of the Marine Corps League. The family would also like to extend their esteem thanks to the following special friends: Magdalen and Jim Martin, Yvonne Rich, Jane Broussard, Oris and Ella Belanger, Curlis Vincent, Tony Derouen, Darryl Rabasso, Helen Frederick, and Lois Guilbeaux for all of the help and support during Gurvis illness. David Funeral Home of Erath, 209 E. Putnam St.; (337) 937-0405 is handling the arrangements.
