Justin Turner

On October 19, 2001, Justin Wade Turner "JT" was born in Grapevine, Texas.  Justin grew up in Bedford, attending Bedford Heights Elementary, Bedford Junior High and LD Bell High School where he played varsity baseball.  Justin loved baseball and played from the age of 4 until he completed his freshman year at college, making lifelong friends at each and every stop.  

After graduating from Bell, Justin played baseball at Dallas Christian College before announcing to his parents he wanted to hang up his glove, transfer to Texas Tech and go through Rush.  The full college experience is what he wanted.  In 2021, he pledged and was a proud member of the Texas Tech Sigma Chi chapter where he continued to make impactful friendships.

On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Justin was in an accident that resulted in a devastating brain injury.  His heartbroken mother and father learned that when Justin was dropped off for his driver's license test, under his own initiative, he became an organ donor.  Wednesday morning at 1:55am, Justin gave life to as many as nine families.  Justin's heart, liver, pancreas, lungs (2 recipients), kidneys (2 recipients) and corneas (2 recipients) were gifted; as well as his tissue, bones, and skin which will help hundreds of others.

Justin leaves behind two parents that loved him more than anything and more friends than a 21-year-old could ever ask for.  The Sigma Chi National Chapter is creating a memorial scholarship in Justin Turner's name. 

Justin's memorial service will be October 9, 2023, 10:00am, at First United Methodist Church, 521 W. Pipeline Road, Hurst, Texas. His parents ask any of JT's teammates, that can attend the service, please wear your game jersey or any team apparel. Everyone else is welcome to wear their favorite Texas Rangers apparel.  No Houston Astros apparel allowed.  Our Sigma Chi friends are asked to wear their Sigma Chi shirts or the JT Strong t-shirt.

JT is survived by his mother, Janice Turner of Bedford, and father, James Turner II of Fort Worth. 

Grandparents Wayne & Hazel Tucker of Abilene and James Turner of Fort Worth. Uncle Wes and wife Emily Tucker of Abilene. Aunt Susan James of Abilene. Uncle Bret Turner and wife Erin of Fort Worth, Uncle Eric Turner of Fort Worth. Cousins Trevor, Kyla, Jenna, Dillon, Ashley, Allie and Erin along with many extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made, in honor of Justin, to St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital.

please send the St. Jude's notification card to Janice, at the following e-mail address: janicesue1001@gmail.com