At age 93, Turner DeHart passed peacefully into the next life on January 5. Turner was born to Earnie DeHart and Mary Leona Hastings in 1921 in Franklin. He was raised with his two brothers, Doyle and Kermit and his sister Helen (all deceased.) His very first job was working in his grandfather Hasting’s General Store in Franklin and in 1939, he graduated from Franklin High School. He joined the US Navy and received his wings in Pensacola, in 1944 and went on to Naval Command Training in Deland, Florida. He attended both Stetson University in Deland and University of Maryland, College Park. During his 25 years in the Navy he served far and wide, Honolulu, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Canada,(on loan to the Royal Canadian Navy) with his final posting at the Naval Security Station in Washington DC. After retiring with the rank of Commander in 1968, he was a property consultant for Quality Inns International for ten years.
He married Agnes Margaret Roberts,”the catch of this fisherman’s life,” and they had four children; he also had two sons from a former marriage. Agnes and Turner celebrated 62 joyful years last August. He greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, gardening, bird watching, flea marketing, and also collected stamps and coins. Turner gave back to his community through The Masonic Order, Macon County Board of Elections, serving as County Commissioner, and was an active member for decades at St John’s Episcopal Church in MD, as well as St Agnes in Franklin and Church of The Incarnation in Highlands, NC.
During Turner’s life, he was recognized with a number of commendations, letters of appreciation and medals. He was considered by most locals as a generous historian for Macon County. His great sense of humor, and affability was appreciated by all- but particularly, by those who loved him. He is survived by his loving wife, Agnes, his beloved daughters: Margaret Ruth Uhar, Mary Ellen Bennett and Dr. Martha Roberts DeHart, sons-in-law Robert Uhar and Dr. Jeff Rapp, daughter –in-law Claire DeHart and five grandchildren: Ian Uhar, Milton Bennett, Aidan (Acarya)Uhar, Emily Uhar Erich, and Kellar Makoviak. He was preceded in death by his son, Turner David DeHart in 2008. His kind and energetic spirit and amusing “oneliners” kept Turner endeared to all he met throughout his memorable 93 years.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 11 am at Church of the Incarnation, Highlands, NC.Memorial contributions may be made to the All Saints’ Episcopal Community OR The Church of the Incarnation, Highlands.
Graveside Service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain, NC.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com

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