Marshall D. Turnbull

Dr. Marshall D. Turnbull, 92, of Abilene passed away peacefully Tuesday night, April 29, 2014. The family will receive friends at a visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. A graveside service for family and friends will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 3, in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories. The memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Felicia Hopkins. Marshall was born in Fisher County, Texas to Claude and Pearl Turnbull on September 18, 1921, and moved to Abilene from Roby in the 1920’s. Following graduation from Abilene High School, he attended McMurry College (now University) before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps. During World War II he served as a B-24 navigator. After his military service, he returned to McMurry to complete his degree in chemistry. While in college he worked at the post office and was a member of the Kiva Social Club. After graduation from McMurry, he took a job in Hobbs, New Mexico teaching chemistry. He realized his true calling was medicine and began medical school. During medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, he married Annadell Harkey on June 26, 1948. He returned to Abilene in 1952 and began his general practitioner and general surgery practices, and in 1978 served as Hendrick Medical Center Chief of Staff. When the polio vaccines first became available, Dr. Turnbull was instrumental in obtaining and administering the vaccinations for Abilene High School students. After retiring in 1987, Dr. Turnbull began teaching in the residency program at Hendrick. He also did chart reviews and wound care until he completely retired in 2009. He was a member of The Propheteers Class at St. Paul United Methodist Church, the Texas Medical Association, and the Taylor-Jones-Haskell Medical Society. He was recognized by his peers with the prestigious Gold Headed Cane Award for his achievements and contributions to the medical field. Marshall was preceded in death by his wife, Annadell Turnbull; daughter, Marsha Turnbull Harris; son, Michael Dean Turnbull; his parents and sister, Eileen Grisham. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Lora and Sam Brinkman, and son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Kim Turnbull, all of Abilene. Marshall is also survived by ten grandchildren, Jason Harris, Sarah Harris, Rebekah Ray, Blakely Davis, Heather Batts, Travis Lane, Anna Brinkman, Maggie Turnbull, Molly Turnbull, and Marshall Turnbull; and five great-grandchildren, Colton Ray, Garrett Ray, Cylus Lane, Banyan Batts, and Penelope Batts. The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Sandra Hazelip and the staff of Wesley Court Retirement Center. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association North Central Texas Chapter, 301 S. Pioneer Dr. Suite 105, Abilene, TX 79605; Abilene Hope Haven, 801 S. Treadaway Blvd. Abilene, TX 79602; or donor’s favorite charity.