James Leonard Jim Turnbull

Mr. James Leonard ?Jim' Turnbull, 84, of Johnson City, passed away Friday, July 15, 2016, in his home. Jim was born in Schenectady, New York in June 1932, moved to Tennessee while still a young man and resided in Johnson City for the duration of his life. He was the son of the late James and Helen Turnbull. Jim served as Lieutenant in the United States Army after World War II. It was during this time that he met the love of his life Marie Ploesser, and they were married July 13, 1957. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Masters degree in Chemistry. He worked as a chemist for Nuclear Fuels in Erwin, Tennessee and then became employed by SmithKline Beecham in Bristol, where he worked as a chemist until retirement in 1995. After he retired his favorite past time was watching and playing with his granddoggies. He was an avid shooter, loved photography and running, and loved playing with electronics. Jim also loved his Ham radio, his call sign being WD4EBT. Jim was a member of Saint Mary?s Catholic Church. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Marie Ploesser Turnbull, and his brother in law and sister in law, Tommy and Berta Daniels. Survivors include his daughter, Debra King and her husband Marlin; son, Steve Turnbull and his wife Misty; two grandsons, Adam Smith and Jacob King and his wife Cassidy; nephew, Mark Daniels and wife Luann. The family of James Leonard ?Jim' Turnbull will receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm Monday, July 18, 2016 at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be conducted at 2 pm Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church. Following the mass, family and friends will go in procession to Monte Vista Memorial Park for a 3 pm committal service. Active pallbearers will be: Steve Turnbull, Adam Smith, Jacob King, Mark Daniels, David Bradley and Glen Rivers. The Boone Dam Post # 4933 will accord military honors.