Edward Turner Warmack

Edward Turner Warmack, age 97, passed away on September 16, 2025. He was born May 11, 1928 in Chatsworth, Murray County, Georgia to Edd Warmack and Billie Cole Warmack.

He was a very loyal family man, supporting his wife, daughters, parents, siblings and extended family throughout his long life. He never wavering from a sense of pride and responsibility he had for his family and their respective lives, spouses, careers and especially grandchildren. He imparted wisdom on how to use tools, how to fish, and perhaps most importantly, how to stand on our own two feet and always strive for our best. A self-reliant man, Turner made sure his humble beginnings were not going to define his life, nor adversely affect those he loved.

When time came to choose a college, Turner bucked the prevailing trend of his hometown. Seven of his fellow HS classmates chose the University of Georgia. He was the only class member selecting the Georgia Institute of Technology. He acknowledged this was a major milestone in his life to professional and personal success. During his time at Tech, he was a proud member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

In his last quarter at Georgia Tech, he was notified by Uncle Sam that he was one of the first 50 men in the state of Georgia to be drafted for the war in Korea. He was unable to participate in graduation ceremonies as a result and instead was sent to Camp Polk in Louisiana for immediate training.

On Christmas Eve 1950, he married Joann Anderson, also from Chatsworth, in Alexandria, Louisiana in a hurried ceremony due to Turner’s imminent departure for Korea in the US Army. He would faithfully serve his country in the Korean War with the rank of Sergeant First Class in the 45th Infantry division and return home to his bride. They were married for 73 years.

He graduated “got out” as they say from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Industrial Management in 1950. He always credited his business success with his degree from Georgia Tech as it always continuously opened the doors of opportunity.

He had a successful career, starting at Moffatt Bearings with the assistance of Dean George Griffin at Georgia Tech and ending it as Vice President at Ziegler Tools, an industrial tool distributor in Atlanta, Georgia. Zeigler Tools was located contiguous to the Georgia Tech campus and as far as Turner was concerned, GT was properly placed at the center of the universe. His relationship with Ziegler Tools was more than a career as he found a wonderful additional “family”, including the founding Ziegler brothers as well as several others of the leadership team who were also Georgia Tech graduates. He served as the 82nd president of the Southern Industrial Tool Distributors Association and assisted Ziegler Tools in becoming a leader amongst the southeastern US tool distribution companies.

It is only appropriate to regale the importance of Georgia Tech to Turner. He faithfully donated to GT Roll Call, which is the alumni annual gift fund, completing his 79th consecutive year. He has given every year since the Roll Call program inception in 1947. He was also one of the charter members of the Yellow Jacket Club, and was instrumental in lining up support for several of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics’ associated GT campus projects. His efforts were recognized by the Alumni of Georgia Tech at the rededication of Alexander Memorial Coliseum in 1996. In 1998 he was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Athletic Association and served until 2004. He LOVED his Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and avidly indoctrinated the family.

He dearly also loved participating in game day tailgates with family and friends, faithfully attending GT football and basketball games home and away including plane/train junkets to Notre Dame in 1997 and 2007.

Turner was an active member of Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta since joining in 1968. He was quiet in his support of the church but was forever faithful in attending services and helping assure its financial stability.

Turner was preceded in death by his wife Joann Anderson Warmack and his two sisters, Louise Warmack Mitchell and Eddress Warmack Burke. Turner is survived by his two daughters, Karyn Warmack Roof (Pruett), Melissa Ann Warmack (Michael Howard), grandchildren, Dr. Kelsey Ann Roof (Dr. Madeline Roorbach) and Leighton Turner Howard.

A family-only graveside service will be held at the historic Spring Place Cemetery in Murray County, Georgia.

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