M ill Kt Pt James William Turner, GCPO, Past Grand High Priest passed away on 10 November 2016.
He was admitted to the Order in Essex Tabernacle in 1974 and was a founder of both St Mary Magdalene and Chingford Tabernacles in 1982. He was installed as High Priest of Chingford in 1983 and of St Mary Magdalene in 1986. He was appointed PGIII P in 1985. He was a founder of Saltire Tabernacle in 1985 and was High Priest the following year. He was a founder of Claverhouse Tabernacle in 1989.
Having relocated to Scotland, he was appointed the first Grand Superintendent for Scotland, District No 30 in 1989. Following the death of James Edward Glover in 1993, John Owen Place appointed Jim as Deputy Grand High Priest. He served the Order as both Deputy Grand High Priest and Grand Superintendent until the beginning of 1995 when Francis Tree succeeded him as Grand Superintendent. When John Owen Place passed away in 1997, Jim was elected as Grand High Priest and served the Order well in that office until his retirement in 2006. Although retired, he still held a great affection for the Order, attending Annual Assemblies and Especial Assemblies. He was a founder member of the Donald Edwin Tovey Tabernacle in 2010 and of teh Christopher Gavin Maiden Tabernacle in 2015. He was honoured in 2015 by being appointed as a Holder of teh Grand Cross of the Priestly Orders.
He received Honorary Membership of Essex Tabernacle in 1993 and of both Saltire and Claverhouse Tabernacles in 1996. In addition, He received honorary membership of the many Tabernacles which he consecrated or was part of the consecrating team.
As evidenced, he was very committed to our Order, but he was also committed to a great degree in sister Masonic Orders and in particular, the Operatives, where he had held the position of Second Grand Master Mason.
Jim was always approachable and had time to speak to us all. He will be sadly missed.
His funeral will take place on Monday 28 November at 12.00 noon at St Lawrence Church, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2AJ, thereafter to Upminster Crematorium, Ockenden Road, Upminster, RM14 2UY.
Family flowers only have been requested. Donations in lieu may be made to McMillan Cancer Care through the justgiving website http://www.justgiving.com/The-Turners-family-friends