TURNEY,
Donald C.
Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, AZ
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Donald C. Turney passed away at the age of 90 on March 20, 2011 in Lakeside, Ariz. He wasn’t finished with life; however, his body was. His memories will live on forever. He enjoyed each day by bringing happiness to others. Born Nov. 12, 1920 in Bonesteel, S.D. to Daniel C. and La Desa Turney. He had seven sisters, most with red hair.
Donald met Jeanne F. Fallers while attending University of Omaha and they were later married in New York in 1949. They were an extremely happy couple, wonderful parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. A husband and wife team to be honored and adored.
He attended the University of Omaha, B.A. Columbia University, M.A., Teachers College in New York, and Columbia University, M.A. He enjoyed school and took numerous classes at Stanford University and ASU. In retirement, he took enough classes at NPC to have received two more associates degrees. However, he mentioned that was only for fun.
He taught school in Nebraska, California, and Arizona. During his teaching career, he taught Speech, English, Drama, Speech Therapy, the gifted program and kindergarten. He began teaching in Globe in the early 1950’s and retired from teaching in the Globe public schools in 1981. He also worked with numerous stroke victims to help them regain their speech and mobility.
He wrote numerous short stories. Many were published in the NPC Northern Flight magazine, Arizona Highways magazine, and a special magazine for left-handed people. He completed and published his book Antelope Dome. He had another book in the works about his life as a spy. Perhaps it will remain a secret forever. He was also working on a short story about his dog, Danny Boy.
He was an active member of the Episcopal Church of our Savior and Show Low Library Friends. He remained very busy during his 30 years of retirement with many hobbies. A few of the many things he enjoyed were spending time with family and friends, gardening, skiing, reading, writing, spinning and weaving, riding his bicycle, plays and theatre, raising quail, making fudge and eating a ton of chocolate.
The last few months of his life were spent living at Solterra at the White Mountains. He truly enjoyed his new friends and received excellent care from many helpful and friendly caregivers.
A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, 5147 Show Low Lake Road, Show Low, Ariz. on Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Show Low Library Friends in Memory of Donald C. Turney. Please send to Attn.: Joe, Show Low Library Friends, 181 N. 9th St., Show Low, AZ 85901.