Lawson D. Turner Iii "Buddy"

Lawson D. Turner III “Buddy”, 74 of Bastrop Texas, moved home to Heaven on November 28, 2021 after a battle with ALS.  He was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Mary Lou, a homemaker and Lawson D. Turner Jr. a Customs Agent.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Turner; uncle, Frank Sanford; and niece, Lisa Clark.

He is survived by his adoring wife Chery Turner; son, Lawson D. Turner IV “Sonny”; two wonderful sisters, Betty Jean Sanford and Joy Gaye Inman (Henry); two beloved grandchildren, Lauren D. Turner and James Oaks; two special nephews, Mike Sanford (Melissa) and Matthew Inman; and three lovely nieces, Penny Stafford, Debra Denson (Bill) and Amy Champlain (Paul); and a myriad of treasured extended family and friends.

Buddy graduated from Newton High School in 1965 and attended Lamar University, Texas A&M, Tarrant County Junior College, St. Edwards University and Northwood University garnering two degrees.  He graduated from the Texas Game Warden Academy in 1971. After graduating the academy, he was asked to return as a Lieutenant Instructor from 1972-1974. He left the agency to further his education.

In 1979 he married Chery, the love of his life. They resided in Fort Worth until 1980 when he returned to work for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. He was assigned to the Dallas area and the couple moved to Cedar Hill. Buddy was promoted to Game Warden III in August 1985 and Special investigator (Sgt.) in May of 1993. In June of 1996, he was promoted to Assistant Chief on the Austin Headquarters Staff, where he remained until his retirement in 2008. At headquarters, among other things, he was responsible for the Operation Game Thief program, which is Texas’ wildlife, fisheries and boating-oriented version of "crime stoppers".

He was President of the Texas Game Warden Association from 1985-1990 and was responsible for planning, coordinating and managing all facets of the organizations activities, while maintaining clear communications with the legislature, TPWD Commission and HQ Staff.  Buddy’s reputation for integrity was widely known in both his public and private communications with legislators, wardens and the public.

One of the things he loved most about being a Game Warden was his interactions with the community, landowners, hunters, boating enthusiasts etc. teaching and informing them about conservation.  Buddy enjoyed sharing with the adults and especially the children who he saw as the recipients of TPWD’s mission to conserve Texas’ natural resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Buddy was a loving, kind, considerate and caring man whose first thought was always, “What can I do to help?"  He loved the LORD with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and eagerly shared his love of Jesus with people he met.  Buddy was Chery’s soulmate and Best Friend and was a loving and giving husband, who always found time to write her Love letters and notes.  For a time, he had to drive back and forth weekly from Austin to Cedar Hill.  During those trips he began composing poetry, which may someday be published.

Buddy will be sorely missed by his family and many loving friends and neighbors.

Services to celebrate Buddy were held Thursday, December 2, 2021. The visitation was 12:00pm - 2:00pm and the service began at 2:00pm at Marrs Jones Newby Funeral Home located at 505 Old Austin Highway in Bastrop, Texas.

Military Honors and interment followed at Fairview Cemetery in Bastrop Texas.