Son inspired parents to start center at KU / LJWorld.com

Lawrence and Douglas county

Jay “J.T.” Turnbull, who died this week, was longtime campus worker

January 9, 2009

Diane Guthrie/Special to the Journal-World

Jay “J.T.” Turnbull, seated at left, died Wednesday at the age of 41. He inspired his parents, Ann and H.R. “Rud” Turnbull, both Kansas University professors, to found the Beach Center on Disability at KU, which focuses on systems to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

Friends and colleagues of Jay “J.T.” Turnbull said they’ll remember his infectious smile and secret handshake the most.

People outside the community can thank him for being the inspiration for research at Kansas University that benefits people with intellectual disabilities.

Turnbull, 41, died Wednesday of natural causes at his home in Lawrence.

He received a diagnosis of multiple intellectual disabilities at a young age. He inspired his parents, H.R. “Rud” Turnbull and Ann Turnbull, both KU professors, to research systems to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

Jay worked at KU for more than 20 years, most recently as an office and clerical assistant at the Beach Center on Disability, which his parents co-founded.

When Jay was hired, the Beach Center had been promoting the independence of people with intellectual disabilities, including their immersion into the working world, said Jean Ann Summers, research director at the Beach Center. It was an effort that was not as widespread as it is today, she said.

“If we were going to talk the talk, we were going to have to walk the walk,” she said. “He’s been a part of our family for all that time.”

Shelby Tasset, Turnbull’s job coach, said that the results were incredibly successful. He had his routines, and would always greet people with the same secret handshake — something he had picked up from a fraternity years ago.

Tasset said she was always astounded by how well he was able to integrate into the community. People everywhere — from office supply stores, to Munchers Bakery and Free State brewery — would stop, say hello and shake his hand, she said.

Turnbull knew his routines, she said, and though he would often take a roundabout way of getting somewhere, he would always get where he was going.

“He never got lost, never got turned around,” she said. “Whether it was the long way around or the short way around, he always did it his way.”

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt. The family will meet friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St.

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9 January 2009
at 7:31 a.m.

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Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Thank you, J.T. for all the inspiration you've provided to many families. I know you'll be greatly missed by your family and community. My condolences to the Turnball family and J.T.'s many friends.
9 January 2009
at 9:49 a.m.

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redmoonrising (Anonymous) says…

I have heard over the years of your good work on the behalf of the mentally disabled. Thank you for all your efforts for our children who often can't speak for themselves. J.T. inspired not only you but many others in his short lifetime. My sincere condolences to you in his loss.
9 January 2009
at 10:45 a.m.

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mommy04 (Anonymous) says…

I worked in an office here in Lawrence and saw J.T. on a regular basis. He always put a smile on our faces when he came in!! A huge thank you to him and his family for all they have done in our community. I am a mom of a special needs daughter, and can't thank them enough for all of their efforts! J.T. will be missed but never forgotten!!
9 January 2009
at 1:14 p.m.

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misplacedcheesehead (Anonymous) says…

I'm weeping that this wonderful man is gone. I also have an autistic son, who is 10. I would see and meet Jay out in public several times with his personal assistants. One time, Jay and my little “Rainman” made eye contact and shook hands at a local coffee shop. It was as if for a brief moment, they had a “connection” that the non-autistic world cannot understand.Jay will indeed be missed. What a beautiful soul!