Cary F. Turner

Cary FitzHugh Turner died on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at his home in Hammond, Louisiana. The time preceding his death was peaceful, with his wife and dog by his side. Cary was born in Winchester, Virginia on June 23, 1949. He was the son of Robert F. Turner and Mary McClellan Turner. Cary grew up on a small farm in The Plains, Virginia and fell in love with a Louisiana Cajun girl who was by his side for 47 years. Cary attended Southeastern Louisiana University where he majored in elementary education. Upon graduating from Southeastern in 1992, Cary began a teaching career in the Louisiana public school system. He worked with students with severe behavioral disorders. He retired from teaching in 2015. Cary was a United States Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968. 

Cary is survived by his wife, Andrea Laborde, his daughter, Anne FitzHugh Goodson, and his brother, Robert F. Turner. In addition, he is survived by two grandsons,Tarquin and Zarin Goodson, one niece, Mary Turner, his honorary grandson, Clinten Graham, his caregiving nephew, Gerard Laborde, and an extended family of great nieces and nephews. Cary was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Sarah Sanford Turner. 

Cary possessed a sharp wit, a quick mind, and a big heart. He was an avid camper and canoeist, played Scrabble to win, loved swimming in the ocean, and had a fondness for the Muppets. He appreciated a generous serving of pie a la mode, enjoyed porch visits with neighbors in Hammond, and was known to crack a good joke. But most of all, he had a gentle and kind spirit, with a quiet way about him that was rooted in compassion for others. 

One cannot mention Cary without acknowledging his love for animals and especially his six Golden Retrievers. Please consider a gift made in his memory to The Tangi Humane Society, (985) 419-9900. 

A memorial service and reception for Cary will be held on February 21, 2026 at 1pm at Grace Episcopal Memorial Church in Hammond, Louisiana.