Victor “Vic” Irvin Turnage was born March 13, 1953, in Lexington.

Victor was the oldest child of Loren Brown and Gladys Fern “Judy” (Williams) Turnage. He was raised in Richmond and married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Ann Maffitt, on June 16, 1974. He died on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Northwest Medical Center after battling COVID-19. He will be buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gravette, Arkansas.

Vic was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; two sons, Justin Turnage of Centerton, Arkansas, and Trent (Christi) Turnage of Bella Vista, Arkansas; grandchildren, Jeremy Turnage, Jesse Turnage, Emma Turnage and Elli Turnage; brothers, Louis (Susan) Turnage of Peyton, Colorado, Gregory Turnage of Nampa, Idaho, and Dennis (Lora) Turnage of Orrick; sister, Dawn (Donald) Simpson of Higginsville; and one surviving aunt, Charlotte Johnson of Richmond.

He attended college in Rolla and studied at William Jewell College in Liberty.

The family moved from Liberty to Columbia, Warrensburg and then to Bentonville, Arkansas, all the while working for Knopke Brothers Contractors Supply Co. He worked for them for more than 25 years as a heavy construction machinery mechanic, then moved into a manager’s position with the company. Later, Vic owned and managed The Lawnmower Shop in Rogers, Arkansas, and worked for CEI Engineering Associates Inc. as a field inspector before joining the Bentonville Public School District, where he worked for 14 years, most recently as the bus coordinator and bus driver when needed.

Vic also was the treasurer of the Crowley Cemetery Board in Rayville for 37 years after spending his younger years helping maintain the grounds.

Vic was a member of the Bentonville Community Church of the Nazarene for 25 years and was active in almost every aspect of church life. Vic tackled plumbing, electrical and structural projects, along with his passion in the tech and media center. Vic spent countless hours preparing for church services, funerals and weddings, along with taking children to church camp, preschool children on field trips and serving as custodian for a time.

He was modest, reserved and steadfast doing things behind the scenes to help others, never desiring recognition. Vic’s motto was to do everything to the best of his ability as if he was doing it only for God.

Vic went on two Work and Witness mission trips: Moscow in 1998 and Jamaica in 2008.

Because Vic had a heart for missionary work, the family requests memorials be made to the Bentonville Community Church of the Nazarene, which is partnering with the Bentonville Public Schools to help homeless students find permanent housing within the area as a mission field right here in our “own backyard.”

“To make a gift, go to www.communitynwa.church and click on ‘info.’”

Visitation was from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Bentonville Community Church of the Nazarene.

A celebration of Vic’s life began at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, with Pastor Mark Snodgrass officiating. Interment followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, located near Gravette.

Arrangements were by Epting Funeral Home, Bentonville. Condolences may be left at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.