Wyley "Judd" Turtle, Jr

Wyley “Judd” Turtle, Jr, 59, of Kansas, Oklahoma passed away, Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah.

Judd was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on July 22, 1966. He was the son of Wyley Turtle Sr. and Geraldine Sands Turtle. Judd was a lifelong resident of Kansas Oklahoma and graduated from Kansas Highschool in 1984.

He worked for the Baldor Corporation in Westville as a forklift operator for 25 years before his retirement. He was a very faithful member of Twin Oaks Baptist Church in Kansas, Oklahoma. He loved going to church, watching his children, grandchildren, and any member of his “village” play ball. Judd loved spending time with his family and any excuse to get together for a dinner. In his younger years Judd enjoyed playing softball. Fast or slow. On weekends he could be found at a softball field in his knee high socks and long sleeve shirts running down a ball in the outfield or turning up dirt rounding the bases. As a boy Judd loved to ride horses, and had even broke a few. He loved spending time with his brothers in the deer woods hunting, running rabbits or hunting squirrels. After retiring Judd enjoyed sitting at home with his “boys” Peewee, Louie, Dennis, and The Ween. One thing was for certain, if you came to Judd’s house you were gonna be treated to the best snacks, pop, and laughs. He always wanted to make sure you left his house happy. Judd had a very unique sense of humor and a shining personality. It never left him, he truly carried it with him till his last breath. Judd will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by one son, Josh Stopp (Marki) of Salina; two daughters Melody Turtle-Kelley (Kyle) of Kansas, OK, and Corrie Turtle of Kansas, OK; the mother of his children, Anita Turtle; four brothers, Tommy Sands (Becky) of Kansas, OK, Stoney Turtle (Caren) of Ada, OK, David “Dee” Turtle of Kansas, OK, and Mike Turtle (Pam) of Stillwell, OK; four sisters, Christine Sands of Kansas, OK, Barbara Russell (Jackie) of Kansas, OK, Ella Sands of Tulsa, OK, and Terrie Turtle of Kansas, OK; four grandchildren, Malachi Stopp, Toriah Potter, Leeland Potter, and Tatum Stopp; along with a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral services for Judd will be held at the Lowery Freewill Baptist Church on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 2:00pm. Pastor Richard “Duke” Pickup; Pastor Floyd Kingfisher; and Pastor Craig Sands will officiate the services. Burial will follow at the Sands Cemetery in Chewy, Oklahoma.

The arrangements have been entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com