In Memory of Dr. Clinton V. Turner
The passing of Dr. Clinton V. Turner Sr. on May 15 was a tremendous loss not only for his personal family, but for his agricultural family, as well.
Turner, 76, was a trailblazer in agriculture and a stalwart leader in the higher education and agriculture communities. At the height of his career, Turner was appointed as the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the State of Virginia by then Governor L. Douglas Wilder. He was the first African American in the nation to hold a cabinet level position in agriculture.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture from Virginia State University (VSU) and received his doctorate of education in vocational and technical education from Virginia Tech. He started his career at VSU as an Extension specialist in housing and structure, and taught home repair, remodeling and new home buyer classes. Turner became the first African-American district director for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. At VSU, he also served as associate vice president for Agriculture and Extension, vice president and administrator of 1890 Programs at VSU and as president of the VSU Agricultural Alumni Association.
Turner received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Virginia Tech Agricultural Alumni Organization Distinguished Service Citation and the George Washington Carver Public Service Hall of Fame Award from Tuskegee University, making him the first Virginian and the first VSU alumnus to be inducted. He was named 1994 Virginia Man of the Year Award.
Turner devoted his life to his family and his professional life. As an educator, his knowledge, commitment and dedication to his career were an inspiration to his students.
His colleagues admired him for his leadership, guidance and sage advice. He built a sense of community within the workplace and had a major impact on the quality of the work environment. And his down-to-earth charm, helpfulness and willingness to share his knowledge made him an admirable friend.
We are so thankful for the opportunity to know him and work with him. He left many wonderful memories and we cherish and honor the time we had with him.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his family. We share their loss. A piece of our heart is broken when a special person like him leaves us.
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