In Memoriam - Douglas W. Turner

Doug Turner served TSPS and the surveying profession with distinction for many years. He served as the TSPS President in 2018 and received the Surveyor of the Year Award in 2017. He contributed to the education of Texas surveyors through the many seminars he developed and presented since 2001. He served in advisory roles for two surveying college programs, as well as serving 12 years on the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying.

He was the definition of professionalism among Texas Surveyors.

Douglas William Turner was born in Houston, Texas, on April 19, 1952, and passed away at the age of 70 on November 10, 2022.

Doug graduated from Milby High School in 1970.  He attended San Jacinto Community College, where he met his wife of 49 years, Kay, whom he married in 1973.  He began working in the field of land surveying in 1972, including joining the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (then called the Texas Surveyors’ Association) in 1973, and earned his Registered Professional Land Surveyor license in 1981.

Doug believed strongly in the importance of land surveying, which led him to serve on many TSPS committees and as TSPS president in 2018.  He was honored by TSPS as Surveyor of the Year in 2017.  He also contributed to surveying education, both continuing education and college coursework, to such an extent that the Surveying Education Foundation of Texas, Inc., honored his work with a special Lifetime Member award in 2020.

In addition, Doug was appointed by the governor to the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying and served for over twelve years, including a term as chair.  He also chaired the League City Planning and Zoning Commission for a number of years.  Doug was currently the Survey Director for IDS Engineering Group in Houston, Texas.  He loved the position for many reasons, especially the wonderful employees he served.

In his personal life, Doug was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.  He was known for his sense of humor, his positive outlook, his generosity, his upright nature, and his humility.  He enjoyed photography, playing guitar, dad jokes, and fried shrimp.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mitzie Turner; his brother, Donald Turner; and his sister, Kay Clements.  He is survived by his wife Kay Turner; his daughter Jaymie Comer and husband Matt; his daughter Kathryn Hilton and husband Will; his grandsons, Carson and Cade Kosina and Aaron and Sam Hilton; his brother Ron Turner; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Memorial donations may be made to the Westview School.

The visitation will be held Monday, November 14, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 15, at 10:00am., both at the Peevey Funeral Home in Houston, Texas.