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2018 SESSION
WHEREAS, James Edwin Turner, Jr., a beloved father and husband, respected business leader in the naval shipbuilding industry, and an enthusiastic supporter of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, died on December 27, 2017; and
WHEREAS, a native of Isle of Wight County, James “Jim” Edwin Turner, Jr., earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), where he played football and was part of the Corps of Cadets and the honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi; and
WHEREAS, following his graduation in 1956, Jim Turner began a long career with Newport News Shipbuilding, where he served as a design engineer, operations supervisor, superintendent, and manager of manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, after a stint at Westinghouse, Jim Turner joined General Dynamics Electric Boat, the primary builder of United States Navy submarines; his superior leadership and engineering savvy later saw him selected as Electric Boat’s president in 1993; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, Jim Turner was elected president and chief operating officer of General Dynamics Corporation; he remained in the position until his retirement in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Jim Turner was selected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1998, and in 1999, he was presented with the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Award from the Navy League of the United States in recognition of his contributions to American maritime strength; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his long and distinguished professional career, Jim Turner was a passionate Virginia Tech supporter who served on the university’s Board of Visitors from 1994 to 2002, including five years as its rector between 1997 and 2002; and
WHEREAS, Jim Turner served on the Academy of Engineering Excellence, the Virginia Tech Foundation Board of Directors, and the College of Engineering’s Committee of 100, in addition to being a charter member of Virginia Tech’s President’s Circle of donors; and
WHEREAS, in honor of his service to Virginia Tech, Jim Turner received the University Distinguished Achievement Award in 1994, the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2003, and the William H. Ruffner Medal in 2004; and
WHEREAS, a staunch supporter of his local community, Jim Turner was active in the North Suffolk Rotary Club and the North Suffolk Social Club; he enjoyed fellowship and worship at Benns United Methodist Church in Smithfield, where he was a lifelong member; and
WHEREAS, Jim Turner will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth; his sons, James III and Steven, and their families; and countless other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Edwin Turner, Jr., a dedicated engineering professional and an influential leader at Virginia Tech; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of James Edwin Turner, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.