Scott Russell Turville

Scott Russell Turville, a one-of-a-kind friend, husband, dad, and "Bops," died on January 29, 2025 after a years-long struggle with Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Degeneration (bvFTD), a neurodegenerative disease. He passed away at his home in East Millcreek, Utah while surrounded by his family. He was 64.

Scott was born February 8, 1960, to Sandra Clare Russell and Lyle "Jack" Turville. Scott grew up in the mythical (to those who knew him) Rose Park neighborhood of Salt Lake City, where he and a group of close friends caused mischief for the better part of 18 years before graduating from West High School in 1978.

From a young age, Scott had a strong sense of personal taste and style. He was dissatisfied with the clothes available through stores and hand-me-downs and often thrifted for or enlisted his mom in making the clothes he wanted. Scott never cared what was in fashion and always wore, and did, what he liked. He had a truly distinct sense of self.

As a kid, Scott found joy and solace in listening to albums on the record player in his childhood room. During this time, he developed a deep love for artists like Bread, America, and, of course, Loggins and Messina; music his kids will never stop listening to in his memory.

Always an exceptional athlete despite being "painfully small" (his words), Scott grew up playing baseball, football, tennis, and his favorite, basketball, which he loved to play throughout his life. In 8th grade, he was the MVP for the state of Utah all-star baseball team. After a knee injury during his junior year of high school, he quit football and picked up tennis. He won the state doubles championship the very next year. In high school, Scott always drove to school with his skis in his car and, coincidentally, rarely made it to class on a powder day.

Scott strengthened his spiritual foundation while serving as a missionary in the Virgina, Roanoke Mission. Few people have been as affected by their mission as he was by his. He devoted himself tirelessly to strengthening his testimony and doctrinal knowledge. From knocking doors in Chic's Beach, to living in a single-wide trailer in the Virginia woods, tales from this time made bedtime stories for years.

After returning from his mission, Scott fell in love with Annette Jerman – who recalls being refreshed when Scott respectfully shook her hand to end the first date. The affection grew and they married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 16th, 1983. They loved to ski at Alta, waterski at Pineview Reservoir, and camp almost anywhere together.

Determined to continue serving the Lord, Scott began his career as a seminary teacher. He was beloved by his students for his willingness to accept them as they were while encouraging them to improve. He famously allowed one student to chew tobacco in his seminary class as long as he attended regularly and spit in a cup. After starting his family, Scott transitioned to a career as a real estate developer and home builder. He loved the creative problem solving of complex projects and proved adept at turning nothing into something spectacular.

One of the great joys of Scott's life was his service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Some of his fondest memories came while serving as a quorum president, stake high-council member, and bishop of a University of Utah married-student ward. His testimony of Jesus Christ permeated everything he did.

Scott often felt that his life would be shorter than most and seemed to live with an urgency that filled his years as a young father with a work hard, play hard attitude. He loved Nettie (Annette) and his children deeply and poured his entire heart into his family. Scott brought life to every family event – he also brought surprisingly coordinated dancing, slightly off pitch singing, and a whole lot of silliness and breathless laughter. It was nearly impossible to take a nap when Scott was driving on a road trip; when the right song came on, a full air-instrument band ensued, and no one was exempt from playing their part. With Scott, there really was never a dull moment.

Scott was a pillar of strength to many and played the role of surrogate father to nieces and nephews, children's friends, and other extended family members. He was an indefatigable counselor, mentor, and teacher and a never-ending source of "lectures on life-lessons by Scott". He lived his life by the mantra "make it a great day" and constantly emphasized the importance of a positive attitude, and a faithful approach to every life obstacle. Above all, he loved God and tried tirelessly to do what he thought was right.

He is survived by his dedicated and loving wife of nearly 42 years, Annette Jerman Turville; his mother, Sandra Clare Russell; his seven children, Allie Turville, Adam Turville (Brynne), Kate Barton (David), Lauren Ostler (Oliver), Eliza Williams (David), Jacob Turville (McKena), Mary Williams (Jacob); his 10 grandchildren; and his sisters Terry Turville and Lisa Kay Turville. He was preceded in death by his father Lyle "Jack" Turville, his stillborn twin daughters Annie and Emma Turville, and his brother Robert Turville.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration (https://www.theaftd.org/), encourage your loved ones to be screened for dementia, or buy yourself an Orange Bang float (his favorite) from Crown Burger.

The funeral service will take place on Friday, February 7, at 12:00 PM at the Salt Lake Valley View Stake Center (2245 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84124). There will be public closed casket visitation at the same location on Thursday, February 6, from 6:00-8:00 PM and another preceding the funeral service on Friday from 10:30-11:30 AM.

The funeral service will also be streamed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/jqNAMPSxAGE?si=ea5FWVgqF4jicXEb