Born in Escondido, California, Turrentine received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from San Diego State College in 1936 and a Bachelor of Laws from the USC Gould School of Law in 1939.
He was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1941 to 1945.
He resumed his private practice in San Diego from 1945 to 1968, and was a member of the Selective Service Appeals Board in 1966.
[1] On February 19, 1970, Turrentine was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Judge Fred Kunzel.
Turrentine was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 23, 1970, and received his commission the following day.