Robert DeWayne Turner, 71, of Buckley, Washington passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2018 after a 24-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Rob was the oldest of three children born to Arnold and Mayme Turner on April 5, 1947 in Havre, Montana. The family settled in Bonney Lake, WA where Rob attended Sumner High School, graduating in 1965.
He then attended Green River Community College for two years of studies and playing on the Green River basketball team. He entered into service in the Army in 1967 for two years, serving in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in 1969. It was during this time in Vietnam that he was exposed to Agent Orange-the widespread defoliant used at that time.
This exposure would eventually cause the onset of Parkinson’s disease at the young age of 47 years old. After Vietnam, Rob worked at Tyee Construction, then with Puget Sound Power & Light Co. (where his father, Arnie, worked). He worked his way up to lineman, line foreman, and eventually a management position.
He worked at Puget Power for approximately 24 years until Parkinson’s ended his career. Rob spent his entire life devoted to his family. He married, Sandy Thompson in 1981 on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Rob and Sandy moved to his beloved property in Buckley in 1981 and raised four wonderful children there. He spent many years playing and coaching sports such as basketball and softball for many kids in the White River School District community. He loved gardening and working the land.
In addition to basketball and softball, Rob was an avid golfer and fisherman. Rob even took up bowling again after his Parkinson’s was advancing, bowling on leagues at the Daffodil bowl. During the last several years of Rob’s advancing Parkinson’s, his body and mind weakened, although his spirit and sense of humor remained strong.
One pleasant surprise during this progression was Rob’s enthusiasm and talent for abstract painting. As proud as he became for each and every painting he put out, he enthusiastically gifted meaningful works of art to those around him. As the Parkinson’s progressed Rob moved into Cedar Ridge Assisted Living in Bonney Lake, which became his home for four years.
In 2017, he moved into the Community Living Center at the American Lake VA, where he received exceptional care and support during this last year. Rob was preceded in death by his mother and father, Arnie and Mayme Turner, and by his infant daughter, Casey Collin Turner. Rob is survived by his wife Sandy; daughters Amanda (Bradley Merna), Megan, and Carly; son Sam; sister Kathy Wardell (Mike); brother Rory Turner (Laurel); 5 grandchildren (Taylor, Olivia, Joshua, Joey, and Cameron); as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous loving friends.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donation might be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation; PO Box 5014; Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or by phone at 1-800-708-7644 or through the website at www. michaeljfox.org or any other Parkinson’s Disease organization to help further the research in preventing, treating, and hopefully ending this disease. Rob taught his children well in his years as a father.
He set an example to them on how to love, work hard, have patience, and live joyfully. Rob Turner was a good man! A Celebration of Life will be held in Rob’s honor, Saturday, November 10, 2018 at High Cedars Golf course at 1:30 PM.
(Food and beverages will be provided. ) www.
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