Thomas Edgar Turnbull was born January 5, 1931 at rural Blanchard, Iowa to Glen and Ruth Hensleigh Turnbull. He lived his entire life in the area and graduated from Blanchard High School in 1949. He passed away at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA, on Friday, November 6, 2009 surrounded by family at the age of 78.

Tom married Wilma Vogel on June 20, 1952 at the Methodist Church in Clarinda, Iowa. He was a member of the US Marines from1951 to 1953 serving as a teletype operator with training in San Diego, CA. They were later based in Miami, FL, with maneuvers in North Carolina and Puerto Rico, during the Korean War.

He returned to the Blanchard, IA area to farm his father's land east of Blanchard. Later they moved to their current farm north of Blanchard where he raised cattle along with crops. Tom also did custom feed grinding for local farmers. He was a member of the Blanchard United Methodist Church and of the American Legion post in Blanchard.

Tom had many special interests and hobbies. He was a master in woodworking, mechanics and hand crafted furniture for family members. He collected brass animals primarily from flea markets. It was his policy to never pay more than $3.00 for an animal. He also enjoyed antique farm equipment and tools and hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; other family members; three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma; two sons Bob of Blanchard, IA, and Glenn (Sherry) of Coin, IA; three daughters, Deb Turnbull of Coin, IA, Pat Baldwin (Larry) of Hopkins, MO, and Janice (Russ) Hughes of Creston, IA, seven special grandchildren, and three extra special great grandchildren.