FRANKLIN, IN.
Raymond F. Turner, 77 of Franklin, IN passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, IN. He was born December 31, 1942 in Indianapolis, IN to Robert Kemp Turner and Hilda R. (Fetters) Turner.
He was a 1961 graduate of Southport High School and in 1967 he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Herron Art Institute at Indiana University. He had lived most of his adult life in southern Johnson County, IN. At a young age, he attended Saturday Art Class at John Herron. He was able to do this by the dedication of his father who drove the three-hour round trip every Saturday.
This early connection with the school and the John Herron Art Museum determined the direction of his goals. While a student working towards his Fine Arts degree, he was asked to teach the High School Saturday Drawing Class. The same art class he attended as a pupil. While at Herron, he was selected to include his work in “Views II”, a portfolio of lithographs, depicting structures of noteworthy Indianapolis architecture.
During his senior year at Herron, he was employed by the school to instruct a night course in commercial art. Upon graduating from Herron, with a diploma in Commercial Arts (DCA) in 1965, he was awarded the “The Roger C. Wolcott Cash Prize for Excellence”. In 1967 he began teaching Stagecraft and Design at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, IN. After three years of teaching, he left to work as a Commercial Artist for an Indianapolis firm.
In 1969, Raymond developed the “To Market to Market” series to commemorate the restoration of the Indianapolis City Market. The “To Market To Market” ball was sponsored by the Christ Church Cathedral Arts Guild as a fund raiser for the Cathedral Arts and restoration of the Indianapolis City Market. His series of seven posters began in 1969 and concluded in 1975.
In 1976 he began his own design and historic preservation business. His many fabulous works include some of the most magnificent homes, estates and yachts in the Midwest and Florida. Those experiences allowed him the opportunity to showcase his work on a grand scale and meet many wonderful people. Until the fall of 2003, after a 20 year hiatus, his business did not allow time for his real passion he expressed in his paintings. That October he began painting full time. Subjects of interest were floral, still-life and landscapes often featuring architecture.
He was a member of the Creative Council of Franklin and a longtime supporter and member of Franklin Heritage and the Historic Artcraft Theater.
He married Barbara L. (Krause) Turner on November 2, 1968 at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, IN, she survives.
Also surviving are his two sons Kirsh R. Turner (Brandi) of Franklin, IN and Royce K. Turner (Jennifer) of Franklin, Indiana, four grandchildren Kopelin R. Turner, Avery E. Turner, Blane M. Terry and Kaden R. Turner.
He was preceded in death by his parents. A service celebrating Raymond Turners life will be conducted on Monday, June 29, 2020 at 1 p.m. at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed for friends and family to connect at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/raymond-turner. Please use Firefox internet or Google Chrome for optimal viewing.
Friends may call Sunday, June 28, 2020 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the mortuary with COVID-19 social distancing is requested by those attending. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the Creative Council of Franklin at www.creativecouncilfranklin.org. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
