David Turner

David (Dave) Allyn Turner, cherished husband, father and grandfather passed away in his sleep on May 9, 2021. He was 76 years old and, in the peace, and love of his own home his long, brave battle with cancer ended. His family and friends are so sad, but have the most amazing memories to look back on.

Dave was born on August 24, 1944, in Phoenix, AZ. He was the son of the late Albert Turner and Margaret Essary Turner who were wonderful role models for Dave and his younger brother Terry. He attended Clarendon and Kachina Elementary Schools and graduated from Arcadia High School in 1963. He liked to tell his grandsons stories about his high school days where he enjoyed cruising down Central Avenue and hanging out with friends at Bob’s Big Boy and Pete’s Fish and Chips. Dave attended ASU and Phoenix college for a year each.

With the advancements of the Vietnam War, Dave saw service to his country as more important than his studies. He enlisted in the Army in 1965 and served for three years. In Vietnam he was a helicopter gunner in the 179th Aviation Company, 10th Aviation Battalion out of Pleiku. While serving he was wounded from a piece of flying scrap metal that took off a portion of his ear. He earned many medals, and awards and was most proud of The Air Medal.

After returning to the U.S.A. from Vietnam, he immediately married the love of his life, Kathleen Hassinger Turner. They were stationed in Yuma for the following year. Their marriage was a happy success, and they were married for almost 54 years. Several years later the two greatest delights of his life were born, first his daughter Marci and then Maryann. Two decades later his three grandsons, Avery, David and Tyler were born and were a pure joy to him.

He first worked for Valley National Bank as a loan officer and Re-po man, and then owned several Indian Arts and Crafts stores in Phoenix and Scottsdale. After selling The Indian Drum, his shop in Scottsdale, he went to work for the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures as an Inspector.

The heart and soul of Dave was his family. He enjoyed good food and family dinners where he was the master chef experimenting and trying all kinds of recipes. He delighted in sharing his love of collecting rocks and coins, bargain hunting, teasing, stream fishing, camping, and exploring Arizona backroads (the bumpier the better) with his “kids”. Family trips were on the top of his list. He liked rounding up everyone to go to the family cabin in the White Mountains, or organizing the annual family vacation to San Diego. He loved traveling and cruising with his wife Kathy, and was always happiest when he could include his family-daughters, sons-in-law, grandsons and even his mother-in-law.

Dave was a wonderful husband. He always wanted his wife Kathy by his side, and held her hand to the end. She loved him dearly and always will. No father could have loved his children and grandchildren more. He was very proud of them and their accomplishments and just simply loved them for who they were. He will be missed so much, but we know he is now pain free and surrounded by love.

He is survived by his wife Kathy Turner; daughters, Marci Frantz and Maryann Trigg; grandsons, Avery Frantz, David Thornton, and Tyler Trigg; brother Terry Turner; nieces Lindsey Syndergaard and Jill Van Dine; cousins Weldon Kaye Tunnel, Sharon Villa and Dale Essary; and an aunt, Marie Essary.

He was also a member of Camp Picacho Peak #1, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

If you would like to make a donation in David Turner’s name, please consider Hospice of the Valley, the American Cancer Society or The Salvation Army.