During his undergraduate career at the Roanoke College, Turk was recognized as a Student of the Year and a Pi Kapp Scholar as he led his student body by example. After his graduation, Turk went on to serve his chapter as Housing Corporation secretary, represented Xi and its alumni at ten Supreme Chapters and became an early member of the Foundation’s Nu Phi Society.
Turk’s service to his fraternity extended far beyond Xi chapter. Elected National Chancellor in 1979, he would later go on to hold that title for a record three terms before being elected National Vice President in 1985. At the 41st Supreme Chapter in 1987, Turk was elected as the Fraternity’s 26th National President, and the first from Xi Chapter.
His time on National Council, and specifically the years of his presidency, was defined by organizational growth. It was during this time that Pi Kappa Phi was known as “America’s Fastest Growing Fraternity” Ð a moniker which lasted over a decade and spanned much of Turk’s time on National Council. During the two years of his presidency, Pi Kappa Phi opened nine new chapters, recolonized others and set the seeds for additional chapters to follow.
After leaving the National Council, Turk remained involved in many aspects of the Fraternity. He was a generous supporter of the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation. When Xi Chapter launched into a Chapter Investment Fund Campaign in 2001, Turk signed on as an early lead donor, essentially challenging other Xi alumni to follow his example to give generously to the fund. Thanks to Turk and others, that fund today has over $150,000 and annually supports scholarships and other educational initiatives earmarked for Xi Chapter. In subsequent years, he joined the Foundation’s Centennial Commission Ð the special group of donors who gave in honor of Pi Kappa Phi’s centennial anniversary. He also participated in the Foundation’s campaign for a new national headquarters in 2008.
In recognition of several decades of distinguished volunteer support, the National Council recognized Turk as Mr. Pi Kappa Phi in 2000. He was the 34th alumnus to receive the fraternity’s highest volunteer award and the first from Xi Chapter.
Judge James C. Turk entered Roanoke College after serving as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II, earning his degree in economics. From there he earned a degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1952, and began a private practice in Radford, Va. While maintaining his private practice, Judge Turk was a member of the Virginia State Senate from 1959 to 1972, serving as minority leader for the last seven of those years.
In 1972, he was nominated by President Richard Nixon, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to a seat on the U.S. District Court, where he served for over 40 years.
Visitation
Friday, July 11th
12:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
First Baptist Church
1200 Grove Avenue
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 639-2422
Funeral Service
Friday, July 11th
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church
215 3rd Ave.
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 639-4419