Monte Hal Turk

Monte was born on July 17, 1934, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Presha and Hal Turk. He was the fifth of six children and spent his early years in Ada, Oklahoma. Like many Oklahoma families seeking new opportunities after the Dust Bowl years, the Turks moved to Berkeley, California, in 1945. The family arrived with little, and Monte often recalled how they were pejoratively known as "Okies" after settling in Northern California. Despite the hardships they faced, his mother taught her children lessons that stayed with Monte throughout his life: be generous, stand up for what is right, help those in need, and never lose your resilience.

As a boy, Monte was adventurous, energetic, and rarely still. He and his siblings filled their days exploring, laughing, and occasionally getting into trouble. His deep love for his brother and sisters never faded. Though all five of his siblings preceded him in death, Monte cherished those relationships and remained close to their families throughout his life. Between the Turk family and his wife's family, he proudly claimed 21 nieces and nephews, delighting in teasing them, supporting them, and staying connected through visits, letters, and phone calls.

Monte developed a strong work ethic early. At just 11 years of age, he began working at Joe Villa's Grocery Store, launching what would become a lifetime of hard work and service. He graduated from Berkeley High School in 1952 and Armstrong Business College in 1956. Athletic and competitive, he excelled in basketball and softball and remained a sports enthusiast throughout his life.

After volunteering for the draft, Monte served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. He held several leadership and administrative roles in the personnel department by day and managed the officers' club bar, bowling alley, and sports leagues after hours. Following his military service, he worked in sales for Pfizer, then pursued a teaching certificate at the University of Colorado Boulder, and ultimately returned to the grocery industry, where he found his professional home. He spent nearly three decades at Safeway's Denver headquarters, advancing into management within the accounting division. When he officially retired in 1996, he immediately began his "retirement job" at Arrowhead Golf Club. There, he spent another 26 years on the maintenance team, mowing fairways and caring for the course.

One of the greatest blessings of Monte's life began in the Young Singles Group at the Lakewood Church of Christ, where he met Erla Hardt. Their courtship was filled with camping trips, boat outings, hikes, game nights, in a circle of friends who would remain an important part of their lives for decades. Monte and Erla were married on July 10, 1969, in a small family ceremony. Ten days later, they celebrated with friends gathered around a black-and-white television to watch the first moon landing. Over the next 57 years, they built a life grounded in faith and friendship. They supported each other through careers, parenthood, health challenges, and several moves. Together, they designed and built their home in the countryside of Sedalia, Colorado, where they lived for more than 40 years before moving to Littleton in 2013.

Church communities were central to Monte's life. He treasured the friendships he formed through the Churches of Christ in Lakewood, Castle Rock, and Littleton, many of which lasted a lifetime. In Castle Rock, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including youth minister, song leader, and treasurer. The congregation became like family to Monte and Erla, supporting them as new parents and providing a loving foundation for Amy's childhood. In the Littleton church, Monte became affectionately known as "The Count" for faithfully tracking attendance each week. Through the church's Life Group and other activities, he continued doing what he loved most: building meaningful friendships, serving others, and creating community. Remarkably, nearly 60 decades after they first met, Monte and Erla were still gathering with many of the same friends from the Young Singles Group, who never stopped calling themselves by that name, as well as with dear friends from each church family they called home through the years.

Monte's favorite role was being a father to his daughter, Amy. He delighted in teaching her softball, basketball, golf, chess, and even the family-famous forearm "shibber," a wrestling move that always seemed to end with Amy knocking him over. Though few expected it, Monte also revealed impressive construction skills, building Amy a playhouse, playground, sandbox, and gymnastics bar in the backyard. More importantly, he encouraged her dreams, proudly supporting her journey into social work and celebrating the life she built with her husband, Fabiano Oyafuso.

Faith and service were at the heart of Monte's life. He served in church leadership, volunteered generously, and was known for noticing the needs of others and quietly stepping in to help. He loved striking up conversations, helping neighbors, and welcoming new friends. His commitment to serving others was perhaps best reflected in his extraordinary blood donation record. Monte was proud to be recognized as a "major donor," having donated more than 70 gallons of blood during his lifetime.

Monte approached life with enthusiasm. He ran two Denver marathons in his forties, played countless rounds of golf, basketball, and softball, and later paid the price with knee and hip replacements. He loved country music played on the open road during his annual road trips to visit friends and family scattered across the country. He organized lunches, reunions, and the annual Monte H. Turk Invitational Golf Tournament, bringing people together and strengthening friendships. He was an avid reader of The Denver Post and nearly every John Grisham novel. He loved dogs, cats, and every family pet that crossed his path.

Monte is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Erla; his daughter, Amy, and her husband, Fabiano; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will continue to cherish the memories, stories, and love he shared with them.

He was kind without seeking recognition, generous without keeping score, and funny in his own wonderfully quirky way. He loved deeply, giggled often, and never met a stranger for long. His life was a testament to family, faith, friendship, and fun. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

In lieu of flowers or meals, please consider a donation to the Littleton Church of Christ or the Downtown Women's Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 7, at 11:00 a.m. at the Littleton Church of Christ. A reception and burial will follow.