David Gibson Turner

On Sunday, January 17, 2021, our beloved Dave returned to his Father in Heaven. In the last years of his life, Dave had developed a terminal brain disorder which caused his health to deteriorate. However, he left us unexpectedly due to an irreparable heart rupture.

David was born March 13, 1949, in Butler, PA, to Robert Russell Turner and Mary Gibson Turner. He spent his formative years in Pennsylvania. His family moved to Redlands, CA, in 1961, where he entered seventh grade. He graduated from Redlands High School in 1967 and attended San Bernardino Valley College. He was called to the England, Leeds mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving from 1969 to 1971. He attended San Diego State, where he studied anthropology and sociology, earning a Bachelor’s degree. While in college, he met Queeta Diane Brown and they were married on November 11, 1972. Together they had eight children and made their home in the San Diego area for 35 years.

Dave had a beautiful deep bass voice and sang most of his life. He performed in the chamber and concert choirs while attending San Bernardino Valley College. He received the honor of soloist on the album they recorded. He earned money for his mission by singing on Sundays in another Christian church choir and later sang in barbershop quartets, where he competed in festivals in southern California. Dave also sang in the temple choir for the dedication of the San Diego Temple. He played the guitar and some piano. He loved classical, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll music.

He ran track in high school and played baseball throughout those years. After moving to California, he became a full-on beach bum. He became a true surfer boy, including a love of fish tacos and The Beach Boys.

He was passionate about reading, sports cars, music, dogs, and family pets. He had a well-developed sense of humor, was strong in his faith, had a gorgeous head of hair, beautiful blue eyes, and was always neat and well put together.

He worked with his brother and father in the family’s RV & Mobile Home Dealership. He and his brother continued the business after their father’s death. They later sold the dealership and invested in an Arby’s in Vista, CA.

In April of 1996, Dave suffered several strokes in the same week after a blow to his head on a roller coaster. He demonstrated extreme determination as he relearned to walk, talk, and after five years, drive a car. He then attended a paralegal school and worked at the law library at San Diego State University.

With his youngest children, he moved to Boise in the summer of 2005 and later began working part time as an office assistant at A New Leaf. In 2009, Tamara moved to Boise, where they met in a church singles group. They were married in the Boise, Idaho Temple the following year and became the proud parents to 11 children and 7 grandchildren. Their family grew rapidly, with a current count of 21 grandchildren. They resided in Boise at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Tamara, a brother, Russell Turner, a sister, Rosemary (Clair) Wilde, 8 children, 3 step-children, and 21 grandchildren, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews and extended family. Children are: Matthew (Hollie) Turner of N. Las Vegas, NV, Jennifer Turner of Boise, ID, Brian (Heidi) Turner of West Jordan, UT, Douglas (Amanda) Turner of Pleasant View, UT, Holly Turner of Herriman, UT, Liz (Eric) Jaeger of Beavercreek, OH, Meredith Fisher of San Diego, CA, and Zackery Turner of West Jordan, UT. Stepchildren: Kassandra Namba of Middleton, ID, Brianna Zwahlen of Clinton, UT, and Clinton DeMilt of Boise, ID. Grandchildren: Adam, Destiny, Ian, Kip, Eric, Belle, Claire, Mace, Deacon, Mandolin, Emme, Charlee, Dakota, Oakley, Ryden, Taylor, Luna, Mason, Sophia, Connor, and Ryker.