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Alford Martin Turman, 88, of Houston, passed away August 25, 2024. He was born March 7, 1936, in Franklin, Texas to the late Boliver Alfred "Jack" Turman and Merl (Martin) Turman.

He is survived by his loving wife and devoted caregiver, Gervor "Jean" Turman; his daughter Rosalind Derrick and her husband Gill; his daughter Valerie Grier; his granddaughter Chelsea Conner and her husband Christopher; brother Robert Turman and his wife Faye, as well as

13 nieces & nephews and over 70 grand and great grandnieces & nephews.

Alford was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Margaret Campbell, Marietta Geesey, Frances King, Faye Hood, Linda Turman, Rhonda Lee, Donna Turman, and Jackie Buckallew; and his son-in-law David Grier.

Alford (Al) was raised in Calvert, Texas, graduating from Calvert High School in 1954, where he was President of his senior class. He played 6-man football and also the tuba in the band. In high school he began what would become a lifetime love affair with sports, by listening to Humble Network radio broadcasts of baseball games. His favorite team was the Cleveland Indians, a very good team that challenged the hated New York Yankees every year (but almost never beat them).

Foregoing a full scholarship to Texas A&M, he moved to Houston in 1954 to help support the family while his father went through cancer treatment at MD Anderson. Al started his career at Humble Oil as a lease file clerk while attending night school at the University of Houston. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1959.

He married Gervor Jean Walker on March 17, 1957 and they had two daughters, Rosalind (born in 1960), and Valerie (born in 1965). Al enlisted in the Texas National Guard Reserves in 1959 and served 6 years, beginning with 6 months active duty at Fort Knox, KY. He learned to drive and maintain tanks, and in 1961 he was called up for 10 months of active duty at Fort Polk in Leesville, LA.

In 1961 he left Humble Oil to work as a landman at Tenneco Oil in Houston. He ultimately transferred to Durango CO, then Corpus Christi TX, then back to Houston as Division Landman, and one last brief stint in Denver CO. While working for Tenneco, he was introduced to the game of golf and spent many hours at Tennwood Golf Club trying to master that "hateful game".

In 1962 he began following the Colt 45's, who later became the Houston Astros — his favorite team for the rest of his life. Al was at the opening game in the Astrodome in 1965 as well as the final Astrodome game in 1999. He was also proud of the great Phi Slama Jama teams from his alma mater, the University of Houston Cougars, his beloved "Coogs". He followed collegiate sports and all of Houston's home teams: the Oilers, the Texans, and the Rockets. He was a walking sports almanac — you could ask him anything and the answer would be correct.

In 1976 he left Tenneco to work for Brandt Petroleum and then C&K Petroleum. He was hired as Vice President of Land at IMC Exploration, and in 1986 founded his own company, STZ Petroleum, Inc. STZ stood for Sloan, Turman & Zak.

Alford was known in the oil & gas industry for his integrity and great diplomacy, a legend in landman circles. Al had a big, generous heart and was the patriarch of the Turman family, supporting family members any way he could. He also loved Jean's family in Arkansas as his own. Al and Jean raised their daughters in a loving Christian home, and they joined Champion Forest Baptist Church when it first met in Klein High School's cafeteria.

They joined Raveneaux Country Club before it was built, where Al became President of the Men's Golf Association. He and Jean enjoyed many vacations with their golfing friends. They gave him the nickname "Brain" due to his prodigious memory. He also earned the nickname "Grump" due to his poker face and unwillingness to crack a smile – ironic since his dry wit and superb story-telling lightened the mood at every gathering.

In March 1986, Al celebrated his 50th birthday, and his granddaughter Chelsea Derrick was born. She was a precocious child and an instant star, the first grandchild on either side.

In 1994, his mother (known by his daughters as Big Mama) passed away, and Al wanted to make sure he and his siblings stayed connected. He began a Turman Family 42 Tournament over Memorial Day weekends, and if anyone beat him in the 42 Tournament, they celebrated BIG TIME because it didn't happen very often! He later began hosting an annual Labor Day get-together known as the Slam Jam.

Al and Jean were blessed to be married for over 67 years, and worked hard together to build a great life for their family and extended families.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, September 6 from 5–8 pm at Klein Funeral Home (16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, Texas 77379). Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 7 at 2 pm at Klein Funeral Home (16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, Texas 77379) with Pastor Duane Brooks officiating. Interment to follow in Klein Memorial Park (14711 Cypress N. Houston Road, Cypress, Texas 77429)

Serving as pallbearers are Gill Derrick, Chris Conner, Raye Hood, Thomas Hart, Robert Guthrie, and Kenneth King.

Memorial contributions can be made to International Organization of Christians and Jews, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Wounded Warrior — all were dear to his heart.