George Turner was born in Dumfries, Scotland, and grew up in Cumnock, Ayrshire where he attended Cumnock Academy. Leaving school in 1960, he then attended Aberdeen University, graduating Master of Arts (M.A.) Edinburgh University graduating Bachelor of Divinity (B.D. 1st Class Honours), before studying at Princeton Theological Seminary as a Fulbiright Scholar where he graduated Master of Theology (Th.M.)
During the 1960s, George served Lochend Parish Church, Edinburgh, as a student minister as well as being assistant minister at St. Stephens Buccleuch Church in Glasgow, then Greenbank Parish Church and Palmerston Place churches in Edinburgh, combining the latter with research studies in Reformed Theology at Edinburgh University. George also served as student minister at Lost River, Lakeview and Crystal Falls Pastoral Charge in the Presbytery of Montreal in 1965 - his first introduction to The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
In January 1971, George was called as minister to Cranstoun, Crichton and Ford Parish Church, Pathhead, Midlothian, 12 miles south of Edinburgh. There he had the privilege of being minister of the mediaeval Crichton Collegiate Church built in 1449 as well as Cranstoun Church built in 1824. restored in 1861 and enlarged in 1875.
During his time at Cranstoun, Crichton and Ford, George served as chaplain to Pathhead Primary School as well as Oxenfoord Castle School. As a member of the Presbytery of Dalkeith, he was convenor of the Doctrine Committee.
In 1976, George was called to Knox Presbyterian Church in Kincardine, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron. During his 10 years there he served as chairperson of the local MInisterial Association and convenor of various Presbytery committees as well as moderator of the Presbytery of Bruce-Maitland on several occasions. For 8 years of his time at Knox, George was a member of the General Assembly’s Committee on Doctrine and worked on the compiling and editing of our church’s contemporary confession “Living Faith”.
In 1986, George was called to Peterborough, Ontario, to become minister of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in the centre of the city. During his time there he served for many years as the chaiperson of the local ministerial association, volunteer chaplain at the Civic Hospital/Peterborough Regional Health Centre as well as serving on the hospital’s pastoral care committee. George has been involved with the work of the Presbytery of Lindsay-Peterborough in many different ways over the years, including serving as moderator of presbytery, interim moderator of several vacant congregations and convenor of different presbytery committees. He retired in 2012 after 26 years as minister - the third longest ministry in the history of St. Paul’s after the Rev. John Morrice Roger (42 years) and the Rev. Edward Torrance (31 years).
In 1966, George married Evelyn Kariango whom he met at Edinburgh University where she was in charge of the Scottish Union of Students Travel Department. Their sons, Russell and Cameron, were born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and their daughter, Larissa, was born in Kincardine, Ontario. George and Evelyn have two grandsons in Ottawa and two granddaughters in Peterborough.
In retirement, George works with his daughter, helping with her website development company. Together with his wife, Evelyn, he also enjoys time spent with their grandchildren as well as their overseas travels to Scotland, England, Italy, Greece, France and other destinations.