Background
Turlington, Ralph Donald was born on October 5, 1920 in Gainesville, Florida, United States. Son of John Edwin and May (Baldwin) Turlington.
Turlington, Ralph Donald was born on October 5, 1920 in Gainesville, Florida, United States. Son of John Edwin and May (Baldwin) Turlington.
Bachelor of Science, University Florida, 1942. Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1943. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Miami, 1977.
Doctor of Laws, Stetson University, 1975.
After completing his education, Turlington served in World World War II and the Korean War. After the war, he worked at the University of Florida. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1950 for Alachua County.
He would serve until 1974, eventually also serving as speaker from 1967 to 1969.
He was the Florida Commissioner of Education from 1974 to 1987. Turlington was married to Ann Gellerstedt (until her death in 2003) and has two children, Donald and Katherine.
A facility at the University of Florida, Ralph Doctorate. Turlington Hall, is named after him. The Florida Department of Education headquarters in Tallahassee, the Turlington Building, is also named in his honor.
Florida Democratic Party, Democratic Party.
Member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Delta Kappa, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Joint Council Economic Education, Education Council States, National Economic Education Council, National School Board Association, National Association State Boards Education, American Association School Administrators, Elks.
Married Ann Gellerstedt, October 2, 1946. Children: Ralph Donald, Katherine Wright.