Jimmy Lee (Jim) Turpin

Jimmy Lee (Jim) Turpin, age 82, passed away Thursday August 15, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born January 26, 1937 in Marianna, Arkansas, the son of Carlie Andrew and Sallie Elizabeth (Bates) Turpin. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Leon Turpin. Jim received his B.S and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1960 and 1961, respectively, and his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1966. He married Joyce in 1963, and upon his graduation, they made their home in Fayetteville where Jim taught Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas until his retirement in 2009. During his distinguished career, he was the recipient of multiple teaching awards including the UA Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award in 1982, the Catalyst National Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1991, the Carnegie Foundation Arkansas Professor of the Year in 1996, and the College of Engineering Outstanding Service to Students Award in 2003. He was also a founding member of the UA Teaching Academy. More importantly, he made it his goal to personally know each of his students, and in doing so encouraged, mentored and profoundly impacted hundreds if not thousands of young lives. Jim was a long-time member of University Baptist Church. He was a committed Christian throughout his life, and he never hesitated to share God's truth with the thousands of students who came through his classes during 40+ years of teaching. After his retirement, Jim never stopped teaching as he poured years of wisdom and love into his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Joyce Turpin; two sons, Tracy Turpin and wife Amy of San Antonio, Texas, and Terry Turpin and wife Kirsty of Fayetteville; five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be held 5 p.m. – 7p.m. on Tuesday August 20, 2019 at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at University Baptist Church with burial to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Moore's Chapel. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.