Dean Walton Turner

Born at Arp, Smith County, Texas, May 14, 1915, son of Leonard W. Turner and Rosamond Dean Turner, both of Smith County. Lived in Longview, Texas, before moving to Henderson in 1922. Graduated from Henderson Public Schools 1933. Attended Rice Institute two years before transferring to Baylor University to study law. Graduated Baylor University, LLB 1938.

Married Margaret Robbins of Athens, Texas, September 28, 1940. They have one son, Raymond W. Turner, and twin grandsons.

Attorney-at-Law, partner in the firm of Bath & Turner since 1946; member of the American Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Texas Association of Defense Council and past president of Rusk County Bar Association.

Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Henderson; member of the Board of Directors of Henderson Memorial Hospital; past president of Henderson Junior Chamber of Commerce, Henderson Community Concerts and Rusk County Young Democrats, past vice-president of Rusk County Chamber of Commerce and Henderson Kiwanis Club. Served on state-wide committee appointed by Governor for revision of election laws and on Governor’s Water Planning Committee.

Served as City Attorney of Troup, City Attorney of Overton, Assistant County Attorney of Rusk County. Has been member of Henderson School Board, County Democratic Chairman, member of State Democratic Executive Committee and President of Neches River Conservation District. Legal advisor for Rusk County Draft Board since 1948.

Raised a Master Mason in Clinton Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., at Henderson, December 22, 1936. Served as Worshipful Master 1961-62. Life Member. Is a member of Committee on Grand Officers Reports.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Henderson Chapter No. 361 on January 21, 1955. Served as High Priest 1958-59, District Deputy Grand High Priest, 2nd District, 1963. Grand Orator 1962. Representative of the Grand Chapter of Italy near Texas. Received the Order of High Priesthood 1958. Was elected Grand King 1964; Deputy Grand High Priest 1965; elected and installed M:E:Grand High Priest on December 6, 1966, and presided at the Annual Convocation in December, 1967.

Greeted a Select Master in Henderson Council No. 298 on January 28, 1955. Received Super Excellent Masters Degree 1957. Was Thrice Illustrious Master 1958-59. Received Order of Silver Trowel 1958.

Dubbed and Created a Knight Templar in Jacksonville Commandery No. 93 on February 15, 1959.

32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Waco Consistory June 23, 1966.

Made a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Hella Temple 1959. Demitted and became a Charter Member of Sharon Temple 1962. Member of degree team.

Member of the Philalethes Society.