30 Jun 2025 Morrilton legend Henry Turner turns 100

By Mary Eggart

On April 27, Morrilton’s First United Methodist Church was overflowing with people who were there to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of the city’s local treasures, Mr. Henry Turner. 

Turner has lived quite an inspirational life full of passion and adventure. His greatest passion stems from his love of people. As a teacher, coach and principal, he made lasting impacts in multiple school districts throughout Arkansas. Some of those districts include Morrilton, Mountainburg, Banks and Warren. Many of his former students and co-workers attended his 100-year celebration to give him an affectionate hug and reminisce about the good ole days.

Turner’s life of adventure began when he was a Navy tail gunner in World War II. The job was a lonely but vital one. Positioned in the tightest of spaces in the rear of a dive bomber, the tail gunner protected his pilot from enemy fire. After the war, Turner decided to pursue a career that allowed him to engage with another great passion — sports. Even today, you can find him at every Morrilton football game doing what he does best, talking and catching up with friends, former colleagues and students. 

Since childhood, Turner has loved all sports, in particular football and basketball. However, as a student, he explained he was mostly on the bench due to his size. But this did not deter him from his passion for sports. While attending college, he decided he would become a PE teacher, which led to many rewarding coaching jobs. He completed his degree at Arkansas State Teachers College, which later became the University of Central Arkansas.

As a young college student at a predominantly female institution, Turner cultivated a passion for music and dancing (jazz in particular). “I never missed a dance!” he said. Even today, he enjoys showing off his dance moves. 

While coaching in Warren, Turner met his wife, Beth, and they had four children: Paul, Jane, Hank and Cone. The Turners loved to travel. He and his wife have had many adventures all over the world. Some of the places they have visited include South America, India, Ireland, Nepal, China and Australia/New Zealand. Their daughter, Jane Turner, talked about the many memorable trips they took as a family during every summer. They would drive to a destination chosen by one of the children. These trips were some of the highlights of all their lives due to Turner’s enthusiasm for travel and the people they would encounter along the way. 

“Around every corner was the best,” Jane stated, “the best tree, the best bush, the best day.” This positive mindset has permeated all aspects of Turner’s life, a mindset that, he believes, accounts for his health and longevity. As he put it so simply, but eloquently: “Just enjoy life. Everything. Every day.” 

Perhaps Mr. Henry Turner has discovered the fountain of youth. But it’s not a physical one. Rather it is internal and flows from within. By uncovering our own fountains and supplying them abundantly with water, we may find that both our bodies and our souls will be infinitely nurtured, resulting in a long life full of passion and joy. At 100 years old, Mr. Turner has shown us the way.