Obituary of Donald James Turner

Obituary Donald (Don) James Turner 1937-2017 Don Turner, a long time resident of Fort Nelson, was born March 30th, 1937 in Calgary, AB to Dick and Vera Turner. His siblings include sisters' Nancy and Martha, and brother Rolf. He has two children; Aron and Leesa. Don married Lois in 2003. Don is predeceased by his sister Nancy, mother Vera and father Dick Turner. Don is survived by his wife Lois Turner, his son Aron (Cindy Turner), his grandson Mason Turner and daughter Leesa (Richard Stellmaker) Don passed away peacefully at the Fort St. John Hospital, with Lois, Aron, Richard and Leesa by his side, November 2nd, 2017 at the age of 80. Eulogy Early Years My dad grew up in the Northwest Territories along the mouth of the Netla and Liard Rivers. Home was a log cabin. His childhood chores included feeding the dogs, filling the water barrel with snow, packing water from the river, filling the wood box, emptying the slop pail and carrying out the bath and laundry water. They didn't have electricity back in those days and they had one neighbour. The Lindbergs. His father, Dick, wrote a few books that portray their life from the 30's - 70's in the NWT. Nahanni was the first. School and Work My dad went to school in Dawson Creek for grades 9 - 11, then went back home to the NWT to help his dad build a log cabin and a boat. That summer he worked for his dad operating a small tug boat and barge on the Fort Nelson, Liard and Mackenzie Rivers. He went back to Dawson Creek to graduate grade 12 in 1956. He then took general studies for 2 winters at UBC, in Vancouver. 1959-63 He worked for his dad in the summer then went to Fort Nelson to work in the winter. Drilling rigs and odd jobs. Dad's first job was a 'Roughneck' on a drilling rig for $1.25 an hour. 12 hour days and no overtime. 1964-82 Working between the two provinces BC/NWT my dad was a Guide - Outfitter, and small plane Pilot During the winters he would work as a pipeline labourer, truck driver and trapper. 1987-96 Log home building, trapping, brush and weed contracting for the BC Forest Service and First Aid Attendant for the oil patch 1996-2002 Self employed: logging, ice bridge building, trapping Marriage and Family My dad married my mom Colleen in 1971 and had two children, Aron and myself. We first lived in Fort Nelson on 44th street. When I was 5 we started building a log cabin home at 302 sub, and lived in a trailer on the property during construction. We then moved to mile 304, now on the old Alaska Highway. Later in life he married Lois in 2003 and he lived at that same trailer until he moved into town in his later years. It was so nice to come home for visits, for so many years, to the same home we grew up in. Hobbies Playing the guitar and singing. Hunting and trapping. Berry picking, making homemade wine. Tri athlete. Dad participated in many local and distant triathlons well into his 70's! My dad was an avid reader, whether it be news, business, politics or biographies. Time spent with dad was either working, watching TV, the news or watching hockey. Discussing the Vancouver Canucks with him is one of my favourite past times. He loved talking with Aron about all the teams and all their players, as the two both shared their love of hockey. He loved to watch Happy Days and Cheers and was happy those re runs came back to TV. In Summary My dad was a hard worker and a man of high integrity, honesty and fierce determination. He led by example, was a man of few words, and had strong work ethic. I'll always remember my dad as a hunter and a trapper, a triathlete, a singer and guitar player. He always struck me as a cross between Clint Eastwood and the Fonz. There will be no service at this time. Services