Carl P. Turlington, 92, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, January 01, 2014, at NFRMC after an extended illness. He was born in Madison County, Florida and lived in Gainesville the past 62 years.
Growing up he well earned the nickname “Tig” for “Tiger” and his fearless disposition. After graduation from Madison County High School, he attended the University of Florida before enlisting in the US Army during WWII. During WWII he served in the US Army Signal Corp attached to the 924th Aviation Engineer Regiment as a communications specialist stationed in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. After the war he continued to exercise his telegraphy skills as a ticket agent and shipping manager for the Coastline Railroad, working over 17 years in Gainesville, Alachua, High Springs, Newberry, and Cross City. Until the time of his death he was still able to read and send Morse code, a skill he kept active as a ham radio operator.
In 1958, Carl went into the insurance and real estate business, operating out of his home briefly until he built offices on NW 6th Street. He was the first Nationwide agent in Gainesville and the fourth in the state of Florida, and during his career he won numerous sales awards for his production with Nationwide. Carl Turlington Real Estate, Inc. was incorporated at that time and continues to operate as a third generation company at the offices he founded. In addition to his other business interests, Carl was also a licensed general contractor, building homes in the area.
After retirement from the insurance business in 1987, Carl worked with his son Tobie, helping in Tobie’s hay and cattle operation. About the same time, Carl began to seriously hone his skills as a harmonica player. He found and brought great joy to others entertaining all who would listen as he and his band, “Second Wind” played in churches, hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Carl also served the Lord as a charter member of Northwest Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and in numerous other capacities.
Carl was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Muriel Whitty Turlington; his father, Emory Turlington; his mother Amanda Turlington; his stepmother, Navy Turlington; brothers Milton and Carson Turlington, sister Frances Hobby, and granddaughter Kelly Amanda Kaswinkel. He is survived by his sister Robbie Anders (Nelson); 4 children: Dale E. Turlington (Susan), Carlene Harmon (James), Tobie B. Turlington (Carolyn), and Patti Kaswinkel (John); and by 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Northwest Baptist Church, 5514 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville with visitation 1 hour prior from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the Church. Interment will follow in Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Northwest Baptist Church or Friends of Children of North Central Florida at FOCNCF, P.O. Box 358502, Gainesville FL 32635-8502.
Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. Patti, you and I once commented that we are fine Christian women because of the examples that our fathers gave us. I am thankful for your father’s influence over so many people. I know he will be missed on this earth but he lives on with our heavenly father and he will continue to care for all that he loved. Blessings, Mary Lynne
Dear Turlington family,
We send our condolences to you all. We were fortunate to know Carl for a short but trying time. Although this was for a brief time…we cared wholeheartedly for him and his family. We were and still are inspired by Carls faith,love for others,and caring thoughts for others. We can merely hope that others were inspired through his life as we were for only a brief moment in his time here on God’s Earth. We wish to extend our hands towards you in this time for any way that we can be of service to you. We will be there for you in any manner that can be helpful during this time. We lift the Turlington family in sincere prayer. May you find comfort in knowing that Carl is playing his juice-harp without me…and playing it perfect again next to Gods Throne. With Carl in Heaven…I’m sure there are many smiles to see…and many toes are tapping.
God bless the Turlingtons for who you are to us
Rest in peace Carl……see you soon buddy!
In loving memory: Keith & Sylvia Pace
Dear Turlington Family,
Carl fought a brave fight through all his challenges and he is now at peace with his Lord and together with your Mom. It is a comforting thought to think of them together again. We know that he is talking with my dad (Paul Freeman) and they are reliving their times together during WWII and the friendship they always had. Carl Turlington was a name I heard all through my childhood, and it was such a gift to Gaylord and me to share a friendship with him and your Mom during their final years here on Earth. I know the Lord meant for that to happen and we are so grateful for it. May God give all of you peace, strength, comfort and guidance in the days ahead. We are keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless,
Gaylord and Lynne
I have enjoyed Carl’s harmonica during church services at Northwest each Sunday and have missed him when he was not there. I had the pleasure of getting his dinner many times at our Wednesday night gatherings. He will be missed by all, but especially us who have had the opportunity of listening to his “history lessons”.
My Dad was a Depot Agent all his life, so I grew up listening to the clack of the telegraph key and the humor between the operators. Carl had to learn American Morse when he left the Army so he could work for the railroad. Many people don’t know there is a difference in the codes. The military uses International Morse, which I learned in the Air Force. I brought some pictures back from Canada which traced the Canadian telegraphers lives and the instruments they used….many of which were exactly like ours and manufactured by the same companies. I gave these pictures to Carl when he was in the hospital a time ago, and I think he really enjoyed them. Iris and I will miss him greatly…especially during the Wednesday night meals at Northwest.