Roosevelt Turnbough

Roosevelt Turnbough was born on February 13, 1933, in Brookhaven, Mississippi to his parents, George Turnbough, Sr. and Flossie Wilcher Turnbough. He was the first of fourteen children born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his brothers, Marzel, George, T.S., Jessie, Rayford, Jerry, James, Dorsey, and his sisters, Lola, Margaret, Vivian, Gloria, and Barbara. Growing up, he saw first-hand the racial divides that separated people. He was full of questions and just couldn't understand why racism and prejudice was so actively present during that era. It was in those early days that he developed a love for fishing. He first started fishing with his grandfather, Ernest Wilcher. This love of fishing was maintained for the rest of his life. He accepted the Lord as his personal savior and joined the Siloam Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS. "Turn" as he was affectionately called by family and friends received his early education in Brookhaven, MS, where he graduated from Siloam High School. He furthered his education by attending Emily Griffith School of Opportunity in Denver, Colorado. On March 4, 1953, he enlisted in the United States Army. While serving his country, Turn earned a National Defense Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He was stationed in Ft. Carson, Colorado. He immediately fell in love with Colorado and eventually relocated his parents to the Mile Hi-City. He served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged. Turn began working when he was 16 years old. He was the first black employee who worked for Brookhaven Leader Times. He was responsible for gas maintenance for the vehicles. He also learned how to typeset the newspaper. A fond memory that he often shared was that of he being asked to drive the mayor on top of the car during the Christmas Parade. Halfway through the parade, the car ran out of gas. He had to now walk alongside the mayor for the remainder of the parade. Turn was so embarrassed because he not only had access to the petty cash but he also had a credit card he could have used. When he moved to Denver, he opened Turnbough Style Shop. It was the first integrated shop of its kind for the area. He was able to open several more shops in the metro area. Turn also was employed with Martin Marietta and the United States Postal Service. He was owner of an apartment complex in Denver located on Holly Street. He was never a stranger to hard-work and providing for his family. Turn was man who had varied interest and hobbies. He continued to fish, and enjoyed hunting; he dabbled with photography, dog breeding, billiards, dominoes, and collecting and refurbishing "classic cars." One car that stands out among family was "Big Blue" which was a 1985 Lincoln Town car. He was known to share his cars with family members when they needed transportation. He was the founder of the Gentleman Bone Fish and Dominoes Club in Aurora. This enabled him to spend time with many of his friends. He was also an inductee into the Colorado Lottery Millionaire's Club. "Turn" was a family man, nothing was more important to him than the care and nurture of his family. He was the proud father of Stafford, Antonio, Jahlaneice, Tara, and Jacquelyn. When he and the former, Gladys M. Jones, were united in holy matrimony, Michael, Nathan, and Lee Cyd were now added to the family. Turn was a mentor and surrogate father to many of his siblings, nieces and nephews. Turn was a true provider all his life. He was a man who didn't mind lending a helping hand to anyone in need. To know Roosevelt Turnbough was to love him. He leaves a void that can never be filled and a legacy that will be forever cherished. He is preceded in death by 2 daughters, Tara Turnbough-Morris and Jacqueline R. Turnbough-Dawkins; his parents, George and Flossie Turnbough, Sr.; 2 brothers, Jessie L. Turnbough and Rayford Turnbough; one sister, Vivian Trammell. Roosevelt Turnbough departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on February 25, 2017, in Aurora, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife, Gladys M. Turnbough of Aurora; 5 sons, Stafford Anderson of Decatur, GA, Antonia (Sandra) Turnbough of Snellville, GA, Michael E. Jones of Denver, Nathan E. Jones, Jr. of Pensacola, FL and Lee Cyd (Jill) Jones of Denver; 1 daughters, Jahlaneice Turnbough of Denver; 6 brothers, Marzel (Trellis) Turnbough of Perry, FL, George (Lilly) Turnbough of St. John, AZ, T.S. (Jan) Turnbough of Aurora, Jerry (Kathy) Turnbough of Denver, James C. (Sharon) Williams of Bailey, CO and Dorsey Turnbough of LaGrange, GA; 3 sisters, Lola M. (John) Hayes, Sr. of Aurora, Margaret Roundtree of Brookhaven, MS; Gloria (B.B.) Calille, and Barbara J. (Pastor Edward) Wheat, all of LaGrange, GA; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 3/6/2017 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 3/7/2017 at 11:00 AM - Zion Baptist Church - 933 East 24th Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 3/7/2017 at 2:15:00 PM Interment following the Service Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 3/7/2017 - The Repast will follow the interment. Zion Senior Center - 5151 East 33rd Avenue, Denver, CO