2000 - 2010 Faulkner University
5345 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 334.272.5820 or 800.879.9816 Privacy / Legal
Web site Powered by ActiveCampusTM Software by LiquidMatrix
News
Home > News Archive> News Story
Son of University Founder Dies Unexpectedly
Dr. Rex A. Turner, Jr.,('67) president of Amridge University, formerly Southern Christian University, and son of Faulkner University founder Dr. Rex Turner, Sr., died unexpectedly August 11 at Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery. He was 62.
Dr. Turner spent almost all of his life in Montgomery involved in some phase of Christian education. He was educated at Alabama Christian Academy, Alabama Christian College, and Alabama Christian School of Religion. He earned his master's degree at Troy University and his doctorate at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa in the area of higher education, writing a dissertation on the subject of tenure.
From the time he was 18 years old, Dr. Turner preached in area congregations of the churches of Christ. Some of his appointments have been at Mt. Olive, Ozark, Clanton, as well as in Montgomery. In addition to preaching, Dr. Turner was a teacher. He taught history and Bible at Alabama Christian College until he joined the Alabama Christian School of Religion (ASCR) faculty in 1975. A year later, he served as Dean of Students and then was appointed Vice-president of Administrative Affairs-an office he held until 1987 when he was named ACSR president.
Dr. Turner followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Rex A. Turner, Sr., who was the founder of what has become Alabama Christian Academy, Faulkner University, and Amridge University. Dr. Turner, Jr., became president of ACSR at the time the school moved to its present location at I-85 and Taylor Road next to Auburn Montgomery in Montgomery. Regional accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools was earned in December 1989. ACSR was the first graduate school of religion to be accredited in the state of Alabama.
Dr. Turner was preceded in death by his parents, Rex A. Turner, Sr., and Opal Shipp Turner and his sister, Jackie Turner Long ('50). He is survived by his wife, Barbara Parker Turner ('65); a son, Dr. Michael Turner (Julie); a daughter, Laina Costanza (Michael); a granddaughter and four grandsons all of Montgomery; and one sister, Mary Hargis ('57) of Nashville.
Dr. Turner spent almost all of his life in Montgomery involved in some phase of Christian education. He was educated at Alabama Christian Academy, Alabama Christian College, and Alabama Christian School of Religion. He earned his master's degree at Troy University and his doctorate at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa in the area of higher education, writing a dissertation on the subject of tenure.
From the time he was 18 years old, Dr. Turner preached in area congregations of the churches of Christ. Some of his appointments have been at Mt. Olive, Ozark, Clanton, as well as in Montgomery. In addition to preaching, Dr. Turner was a teacher. He taught history and Bible at Alabama Christian College until he joined the Alabama Christian School of Religion (ASCR) faculty in 1975. A year later, he served as Dean of Students and then was appointed Vice-president of Administrative Affairs-an office he held until 1987 when he was named ACSR president.
Dr. Turner followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Rex A. Turner, Sr., who was the founder of what has become Alabama Christian Academy, Faulkner University, and Amridge University. Dr. Turner, Jr., became president of ACSR at the time the school moved to its present location at I-85 and Taylor Road next to Auburn Montgomery in Montgomery. Regional accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools was earned in December 1989. ACSR was the first graduate school of religion to be accredited in the state of Alabama.
Dr. Turner was preceded in death by his parents, Rex A. Turner, Sr., and Opal Shipp Turner and his sister, Jackie Turner Long ('50). He is survived by his wife, Barbara Parker Turner ('65); a son, Dr. Michael Turner (Julie); a daughter, Laina Costanza (Michael); a granddaughter and four grandsons all of Montgomery; and one sister, Mary Hargis ('57) of Nashville.
