Joseph Campbell Turley III, 68, of Blacksburg, VA, died Tuesday, February 3, 2015.
He was born in Columbus, OH, on March 1, 1946, to the late Joseph Campbell Turley Jr. and Doris Pelter Turley Dority (Fred).
Joe Turley was a champion and great advocate of the coal industry. He was known for his pioneering efforts in the field, ranging from the regulation of safety policy and equipment for workers to lobbying and negotiations at state and federal government levels to promote the economy and future state of coal in America.
Joe was a great supporter of the Virginia Tech community as an active contributor to the scholarship programs across campus. He was known for his generosity as a member of the UT Prosim Society, but is most remembered for his love and passion for the Virginia Tech Athletics Programs, of which he was honored as a Golden Century Champion. Go Hokies!
Personally, he prided himself on his devotion to his workers and their families and the reclamation of the land and communities in which he worked. Nothing was more important to Joe than his wife, his children, and grandchildren. His every work and sacrifice was devoted to the opportunity and success he could provide his family.
Through his life he was awarded and recognized many times, both professionally and through his personal service and giving.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Burnopp Turley, and son, Joseph Chaplin Turley II, both of Blacksburg; daughters and sons-in-law, Amy Turley Cyrus and Christopher Wayne Cyrus of Huntersville, NC, and Autumn Turley Bice and Kevin Shane Bice of Chesapeake, VA; grandchildren, Campbell LeRosa Cyrus, Jesse Wayne Cyrus, Wyatt Clifton Bice, and Callie Jean Bice; sister, Lynn Turley Bruch of Florida; brothers, James Garrison Turley (deceased), and George Christian Turley of Florida; extended brothers and sisters, Marvin Scott Turley, Michael Sean Turley, Matthew Shannon Turley (Brittany), Joseph C. Turley IV (Josh), and Melissa Susanne Veislind (Steve).
Please, join in celebrating the memory of Joe with his family and friends on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 2 PM at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, 901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, with Pastors Stewart Farley and Ray Kingrea with guest speaker J.B. Young III officiating.
The reception will follow immediately after.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the African Children’s Choir, www.africanchildrenschoir.com, P.O. Box 250, Arlington, WA 98223, or to the Joseph C. Turley III Memorial Scholarship Fund held at the National Bank of Blacksburg, P.O. Box 90002, Blacksburg, VA 24062.
McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the February 6, 2015, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
