Gary Turner

A lifelong resident of Huntington, Gary Turner graduated from Huntington High School. He worked at the Big Bear grocery store in the Fairfield Plaza and then Radco Restaurant Equipment Company. He served in the military for two years, one of which was in Iraq. He ended his military career with the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Turner then began working at the Huntington Fire Department and spent 22 years there working his way up the ranks from private to captain. He became the first Black firefighter in the history of the Huntington Fire Department to obtain the rank of captain. He retired from the Fire Department in 2011, and began working at the A.D. Lewis Community Center.

Turner attended Marshall University and graduated with a regents bachelor of arts degree in 2009. He has served with the Army National Guard and is a faithful member of 16th Street Baptist Church.