Donald Parley Turner, age 99, passed away February 1, 2020, a month short of his 100th birthday, at Southern Utah Veterans
Home in Ivins, Utah, from complications due to pneumonia. He was born March 10, 1920, in Holden, Utah, to Rawldo Ward and Elmeda Johnson Turner.
He grew up in Holden, working on the farm with his parents, brothers, and sisters. He loved the mountains east of town, especially the time he spent with friends at the forest service cabin which he helped build as a young man.
He graduated from Millard High School in 1938, and then had the opportunity to serve an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission, headquartered in Independence, Missouri.
After returning home from his mission, he served his country in World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps as a mechanic and gunner on the B17 aircraft for 2 1/2 years.
When he returned home from the his military service, he met and fell in love with Verna Beckstrand of Meadow, Utah. They were married on February 17, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with four children, Brenda, Jill, Ray, and Barbara. He was a wonderful husband and father and had a great love for his family.
Dad spent the rest of his life in Holden, working as a farmer and rancher. He enjoyed gardening and could grow anything. To supplement his income as a rancher, and to support his family, he spent many years working as an insulator for Mountain States Insulation, but his heart was at home.
Dad was very fortunate to enjoy good health his entire life.
He had a strong testimony of his Savior and the Church, having served in various callings throughout his life.
Dad is survived by his children, Brenda (Lee) Ence, Santa Clara, Utah; Jill Turner, West Jordan, Utah; D.Ray (Betty) Turner, Holden; and Barbara (Bill) Emmett, Fillmore, Utah; his sisters Berniece Stephenson and Phyllis (Nate) Tanner; 13 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Verna, his parents, and siblings, Ward Turner, Shirley Hendrickson, Ellen Stevens, Marjorie Stevens, Alta Turner, and Claude Turner.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February, 8, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. in the Holden Ward Chapel. Friends may call Friday, February 7, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church.
Interment will be in the Holden Town Cemetery under the care of Rasmussen Mortuary. Online condolence at rasmussenmortuary.com
