Bryan Leroy Turner

Our beloved husband, father, and brother, Bryan Leroy Turner, was born August 5th, 1932, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and passed away on Tuesday February 14, peacefully at home in Gig Harbor, Wash., after a long and happy life at the age of 84.

Bryan graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1950, and married his high school sweet heart, the school’s student librarian. They lived in Bonners where he worked as a logger, stump rancher, and flood fighter for the Army Corp of Engineers. Bryan was hired to work as a driller for the Corp. on the Libby Dam in Idaho, among others, before moving his growing family to the Pacific Northwest in 1964, when he accepted another job with the Corp, managing the forests and “back forty” windfall at Fort Lewis.

Bryan, Patsy and their family of five children traveled and camped, while he worked to achieve his associates’ degree at Tacoma Community College, and was eventually moved to Seattle as a Realty Officer for the Corp. of Engineers. In addition, he and Patsy managed their own KM (Keeping Money) Company, and commercial fishing venture with his boat, the Zora. After retiring, they began building custom homes. He and with Patsy traveled the states end to end in a variety of RVs. He had a passion for skiing and was first on the slopes every weekend, if able.

After 20 years, a stint overseas in Korea, and many adventures in between, Bryan retired so he and his bride, of what would be 60 years, could travel the world.

Bryan was a sponge for knowledge. He was an avid reader, writer, and at one point had a room full of books, a box of journals, and a shop full of tools. He made many of his own tools, including his own lathes, drill press, even his saw mill. The little red tractor he built tilled the giant garden, hauled the fire wood, and rockery for landscapes. Many stone walls, waterfalls, ponds, and flower beds are a testament to his vast skills. When he wasn’t working, he was writing, and published a book about his life growing up in Bonners Ferry, as well as other articles.

Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church was Bryan’s church family for 30 years. He went on Mexico Missions Trips, and enjoyed Holy Land Tours. Bryan has been with Study Groups, Support Groups, and Senior Groups. He was on the building committee and involved with the major expansion of the church and, over the years, was happy and blessed to see his church family expand and grow.

After Patsy passed away, Bryan met Lorella through their church. He often said he was blessed to have a “second chance at life.” He and Lorella lived in Gig Harbor and enjoyed an active circle of friends and social activities. They visited their families, touring the California Coast and his home state of Idaho in their camper van, and celebrated life in the time they had together. “It’s never too late for Happily Ever After.”

Bryan had many stories and interests to discuss with those who cared to sit with him. He will be deeply missed by those who wished to ponder with him, debate with him, laugh with him. We love and miss you, Husband, Father, and Brother.

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents Archie Cecil Turner, Netta (Shelley) Turner, his first wife Patsy Elizabeth (Hammell) Turner, and a son, Danny Turner. Bryan is survived by his second wife, Lorella Carlton, a brother, Ron Turner, his sister, Barb (Sis) (Turner) Cossairt, five children, ten grandchildren and two great-children.

A memorial will be held at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, Wash., on Saturday, March 25, at 1 p.m. A light lunch is to be provided in the Gathering Place at Chapel Hill afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org