Dr. Frank Henderson Turpin III

Dr. Frank “Bucky” Turpin III, age 78 ended a 26-year battle with heart disease on Sunday, January 19, 2025. He was at peace, surrounded by his family. He was born in Americus, GA on April 4, 1946. He was the son of the late Frank Henderson Turpin, Jr. and the late Sarah Wise Turpin. Bucky spent his childhood in Americus and established a reputation for being tenacious, fun-loving, and a jokester. His incredible work ethic led to a scholarship to play football at Clemson University and optometry school in Chicago. Bucky was passionate about football and visiting his Clemson teammates for games and continued to visit into his late seventies. He was a linebacker for the first-ever back-to-back ACC championship teams. He led the fight and was instrumental in passing the Glaucoma Bill of 1992, expanding optometric scope for optometrists to use and prescribe medications for their patients. He was voted Optometrist of the Year in Georgia. He showed that one person can make a difference as he traveled across the state, meeting with colleagues to engage them and encourage their involvement. His enthusiasm was contagious. He was passionate about sports, genealogy, history, antiquing with his family, and playing hide-and-seek with his grandkids. He loved fishing, landscaping, and gardening, particularly camellias and azaleas. After his diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure, giving him only a few years to live, he needed a ‘project’ for his heart and mind. Bucky decided to purchase a bank that closed during the Great Depression. Along with his son, they tore down the bank by hand and rebuilt it in their backyard. He transformed it into a family museum to showcase his antiques and collectibles. Survivors include his wife, Lisa Luke Turpin of Albany; a son and daughter-in-law, Frank “Beau” Henderson Turpin IV (Carrie) of Atlanta and a daughter and son-in-law, Alexa Turpin Fowler (Dustin) of Watkinsville, GA. Frank is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Jean Turpin Thurston (Eugene) Goode, VA; a brother and sister-in-law, Fred Singer Turpin (Linda) of Albany, GA, a brother-in-law, Fielding Walker and four grandchildren, Sarah Banks Fowler, Adley Allen Fowler, Emily Turpin and Daniel Turpin. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25th at Aldridge Funeral & Cremation Services in Americus from 12:00 - 1:45pm followed by a graveside service at Oak Grove Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. The Turpin’s are accepting family and friends Friday night from 5-9pm and Saturday after service at 702 Tallahassee Road in Albany. In addition to his parents, Frank was Preceded in death by a sister, Sally Turpin Walker. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the following https://shop.alivingtribute.org/products/plant-a-tree-in-honor https://shop.arborday.org/trees-in-memory https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give?sc_camp=74BDCAFF54BB490B8E37C664AE727101 To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family, please visit aldridgefuneralservices.com. Aldridge Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. Frank Henderson Turpin III

April 4, 1946 - January 19, 2025