Fred W. Turpin

On October 29, 2020 Fred Turpin peacefully passed away in his sleep, next to his wife, at the age of 85. He was born Christmas Eve, 1934 in Oklahoma City to Meretha and Buford Marsh. He was raised by Meretha and Dick Turpin and lived all over the United States with his sisters Joan Cagle, Gaylyn Greiner and Dana Miller growing up in Essex Fells, NJ; Long Beach CA and Phoenix, AZ; before returning to Oklahoma to graduate high school at Classen. He excelled at tennis, track, loved playing Ping-Pong and racing his car. He went on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Business. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and was a Roughneck. He always entertained us with all of his crazy stories growing up whether it was when he was recruited for a social club (gang) in Compton, CA which he did not do or his friendship with Olga Anheuser who gave him rides to school in Phoenix or his father Boots' bootlegging stories.He married our mother Catherine Kennedy Grout on October 22, 1960, recently celebrating their 60th anniversary. He had three children, Carolyn Messick, F. Duane Turpin, David Turpin with spouses Meg and Amy. He had four grandchildren, Jonathan and Joseph Messick, and Sam and Molly Turpin and numerous nieces and nephews he thought of as his own. He had a successful career in insurance, owning an independent agency in Edmond for many years. He was very crafty as well and loved working with his hands. He would try and fix something before seeking help because that is the kind of person he was, hardworking and dedicated. He was always trying to help the next person, even a stranger he would give the shirt off his back. He was known for bragging to everyone about how amazing his family was and how much he loved them. We were truly blessed to have our father in our lives. It was a privilege and honor for those who knew our father and we will miss him dearly. We love you dad and will miss you. The service will be Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at Smith and Kernke Chapel, 14624 N. May at 1:00 pm. Live streaming will be available as well on Smith and Kernke's website.