James Turnage passed away in the early hours of March 6th peacefully in his sleep.
James was born in 1949 to his parents Margie and Floyd as the oldest of 9. He graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1967. Instead of being drafted he chose the Marines just because someone said he couldn’t do it. After serving a year in the jungle and receiving two Purple Hearts, he came home and went to work as a welder.
In 1970 his oldest Son Michael was born. After a few years on the singles tour James met Stephanie. Stephanie had a young Son. They met in May and by July16th they were married. James stepped up and became Bryant’s Dad in 1986 and fully adopting Bryant in 1989. In 1988 the final addition to their family arrived and Kayla was born. James spent many years putting in water towers all across the country before deciding that it wasn’t big enough and built Walmart and Lowes buildings.
He retired in 2006. His years of retirement were spent with many mornings spent at some restaurant in town having coffee with his Marine Corps league friends and Eventually his Father-in-Law Archie Webber. During this time, he spent many years organizing Toys for Tots in Knox County and devoting many Memorial Day weekends to the Rendezvous Booths with the Marine Corps League.
He and his wife Stephanie would often travel to North Carolina through their years together. Hauling kids in the van, kids getting older and leaving home. Kids getting married in far off places. Kids staying around and kids moving away. Grandchildren arriving and grandchildren growing.
Papaw as they called him, loved hearing of their exploits and growing up. Often laughing as his grandchildren caused the same issues his children caused.
With his passing James leaves behind for a temporary time His Wife Stephanie, His two Son’s Michael and his wife Nikki and Bryant and his wife Nichole, and his Daughter Kayla and her significant other Brady. Grandchildren Corbin Turnage, Caitlin Turnage, Cash Turnage, Daniel Turnage and Noah Mount.
Siblings Giles Turnage, Kathy Warrick, Dwight Turnage, Michael Turnage, Margie Twiddy, Marsha Kornegay, Ray Strickland.
Visitation for James will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 4:00-8:00pm ET at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 524 Broadway St., Vincennes, IN 47591. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 1:00pm ET at the funeral home. Friends and family may visit from 12:00-1:00pm prior to the service on Friday. Military rites will be conducted following the service at Memorial Park Cemetery where James will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to either organization of your choice: Toys for Tot’s or the American Legion Post #73.
Online condolences may be shared at goodwinsieversfh.com. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of James and his family.
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