Ronald Turner
Ronald Bruce Turner, known to many as Bruce, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025 at the age of 74.
Bruce was born the son of Billy and Willetta (Ryman) Turner on October 25, 1950 in Arkansas City, Kansas.
Bruce was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, and spent his early childhood in Augusta, where he began his elementary education. His family later relocated to Longford, Kansas, after purchasing a local town store, and it was there that Bruce continued his education, attending Longford Junior High and High School, from which he graduated in 1968.
Bruce was a man of profound passion, particularly in the realms of education and theater. He pursued higher education at Kansas State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1972. His academic journey continued with a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, which he completed in 1978. Soon after, Bruce began his teaching career at Kenneth Henderson Junior High School in Garden City, Kansas, where he taught social studies from 1979 to 1989. Bruce had a deep passion for History, coupled with a profound sense of patriotism towards his country. While attending KS, Bruce enrolled in the United States Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He served with distinction from January 1973 until the conclusion of 1974, holding the rank of Second Lieutenant. His service was marked by dedication, culminating in an honorable discharge.
In 1989, Bruce accepted a teaching position at Wellington Middle School in Wellington, Kansas, where he served until 1994. Committed to lifelong learning and professional development, he took a brief hiatus from the classroom to pursue a second master’s degree—this time in Elementary and Secondary Counseling—from Emporia State University. Upon completing the program, he returned to Wellington Middle School as a School Counselor, a role he held from 1995 until 2006.
In 2007, Bruce transitioned to Royster Middle School in Chanute, Kansas, where he continued his work as a school counselor until his retirement in 2015. His contributions to the field of education were widely recognized; in 2014, Bruce was honored as the Counselor of the Year by the Kansas State Board of Education. That same year, he received a special invitation to the White House, where he attended a dinner hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Bruce’s devotion to education was matched by his lifelong love for the theater. He was not only a skilled educator but also a passionate actor, director, and theater judge. His artistic talents were particularly evident in his involvement with Off-Broadway-style productions in Wellington and Chanute, where he poured his energy into nurturing young performers and enriching the cultural life of his community. Even after stepping back from acting and directing, Bruce remained actively engaged by serving as a theater judge across the state of Kansas—a role he fulfilled with great enthusiasm and care.
Bruce was also deeply committed to his family. He never missed a wedding or graduation ceremony and made frequent trips to be present for important family milestones. He cherished traveling with his loved ones, enjoying memorable experiences at Kansas State football bowl games, Major League Baseball parks such as Nationals Park and Camden Yards, Busch Gardens, Historic Williamsburg, Civil War battlefields, Washington, D.C., and even Hawaii.
Always dependable, Bruce was a steadfast presence in the lives of his family and friends. His unwavering support, generous spirit, and enduring love have left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Survivors include his brother, Jerry (Nancy) Turner of Independence, MO; nephew, Charles (Sarah) Turner of Sterling, VA; niece, RaShell (Brian) Bradstreet of Manhattan, KS; great nephews: Jacob Turner of Sterling, VA; Max Turner of Sterling, VA; Dillon Turner of Sterling, VA; Jordan Bradstreet of Manhattan, KS; great niece, Brianna Bradstreet of Manhattan, KS; cousins, Judy Woods of Wichita, KS; and Jim Lauch of Tempe, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Willetta Turner.
A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2025 with the family present to receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate Bruce’s life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:30am at the Cornejo Funeral Home & Crematory located at 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas, 67152. Interment with service honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery, Arkansas City, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the: Wellington Community Theater P.O. Box 573 Wellington, Kansas 67152. Donations may be mailed or left with the funeral home.
As we remember Bruce, we invite all who knew him to share memories, leave condolences, or sign his digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com.
Arrangements for the services are by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, Wellington, Kansas.