Daniel William Turner
Daniel William Turner passed away peacefully Wednesday March 9, 2016 at his home in Maeser. He was born December 18, 1929 in Wellington, Utah to Daniel William Turner Sr and Wilma Jessen Turner. At three months old, at the beginning of the Great Depression his father lost his life in the Peerless coal mine in Carbon County leaving Wilma widowed with two small children. When Danny was seven Wilma married Will McConkie and Dan moved to the Uintah Basin, which has been his home ever since. Danny graduated from Uintah High School with the class of 1948. He was a natural athlete, playing basketball and baseball. He spent his young life farming and wrangling cows and riding horses between Dry Fork and the Green river. Danny played the piano by ear and the guitar in his early years. Dan married Phyllis Gale January 15, 1951 in Elko, Nevada. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent two years stationed in Alaska during the Korean War where he worked as a mechanic. Guns have always been a big part of Dan’s life, he loved to shoot and hunt most anything, his 2nd amendment rights were extremely important to him. He was a member of the NRA and very interested and involved in politics and a proud conservative Republican. Dan worked for many years in the banking profession, working for Uintah State Bank, First Security Bank, The Bank of Rangely and Basin State Bank. He also worked as the financial administrator of Uintah School District for many years and later the supervisor of School foods. He retired from the School District in 1996. Dan is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held the office of a high priest. He served in many callings during his life time; ordinance worker at the Vernal Utah Temple, Sunday School president, Temple project instructor, High Counselor, among many others. He spent many years involved in the scouting programs of the church where he has made a huge impact on many young men. Dan was a man of faith, and although he had faults as we all do, he trusted the Lord and was unfaltering in his devotion and trust in God. Dan and Phyllis were sealed as a family for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple—something which is especially important to all at the passing of their dear father. Dan loved the mountains, the deserts, the rivers, streams and lakes. He loved to fish, raft on the river, prospect, and go for rides to the areas of his youth. He thrilled the grandkids with his magic tricks and he could throw coins in the air and shoot them with his .22 rifle. He and Phyllis were selfless in their charity to others, they spent their time and money to help other people, whether they knew them or not and so many times went totally out of their way to make other peoples’ lives easier. They were tremendous examples of living Christ like lives. Dan is survived by his sister, Betty Turner Bowden, his Gale in-laws: Lois Dahms (Dale), Clyde Gale (Colleen), Floyde Gale (Pat), and Barry Gale, his children, W Lee Turner, Claudia Reynolds (Gary), W Jeane Brooks, and Dana Powell (Norm), twenty grandchildren, and twenty-nine great grandchildren. Many friends and neighbors.Dan has many loved ones who have passed on ahead of him, who are rejoicing now in his arrival; his father Daniel William Turner Sr., Step father William Henson McConkie, Mother, Wilma Jessen McConkie, father & mother-in-law, Jesse M Gale and Edith Bird Gale, his son David W. Turner and daughter-in-law Hina Caldwell Turner and in 2009 his dear wife Phyllis Gale Turner. Dan’s life has been filled with faith, love and joy and some heartache. Now with his life being complete, he will go ahead and greet us when we see him again.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 14, 2016 at the Maeser Stake Center (2745 West 1000 North) at 11AM. A viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6-8PM at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home and Monday 9:45~10:45AM at the Chapel. Interment will be in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery wilth Military honors provided by the American Legion Post 11 and the Utah National Guard. Services are under the direction of the Ashley Valley Funeral Home.
