TURNER, Lewis Charles

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from May 10 to May 17, 2012 - Lewis Charles "Lew" Turner, age 80, a long-time resident of Fort Mohave, Ariz., passed away after a short bout with leukemia, on Friday, May 4, 2012, at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, Nev. He was born March 30, 1932, to Lillian and Ted Turner in Pawnee, Neb., and was the eldest of three children. After graduating from Du Bois High School, he went into the Air Force, and served our country for 6 years. He then settled in Amarillo, Texas, were he married Martha Burris. They had two sons, Lewis Charles II and Bobby Dale Turner. Lew enjoyed owning and operating a gas station and wrecking service, and drywall business, until getting his leg crushed in 1961. Soon after, he was contracted to move to Sinaloa, Mexico, and consult for the agricultural department. After returning to the United States, he managed agricultural harvest crews that took him throughout the southwest and northwest. After settling in Arizona, he made his career developing and managing large agricultural farm projects in Blythe, Calif., and Gila Bend, Parker and Mohave Valley, Ariz. In 1980, Lew changed careers, and began working for Fly Ash Haulers at the Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin, Nev. He continued working in the power plant industry until a few years after the Mohave Generating Station closed in 2005. He continued working on construction projects throughout Arizona, and many events with the Laughlin, Nevada Chamber of Commerce. Lew loved working, and considered everyone he worked with his family. His greatest pride and joy was building the SCORE desert race track in Laughlin, Nev., as well as owning and flying his own airplanes for over 20 years. He logged thousands of hours flying throughout the western United States. Lew received many honors over the years, and was celebrated for serving his communities in many ways, including Air Force veteran, Red Cross, school board president, Elks Lodge, Big Sandy Water District member, Man of the Year-Laughlin Chamber, SCORE and SNORE desert racing volunteer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Turner; parents, Lillian and Ted Turner; daughter-in-law, Corine Turner; and sister, Velma Stashi. Lew is survived by his companion, Doni Hamlin; two sons, Chuck (Tammy) and Bob (Cynthia); sister, Sharon Mc Daniel; four grandchildren, Colby Turner, Carrie Utz, Cassie Lott, and Schuyler Turner; and seven great-grandchildren. A celebration of Lew's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at Mohave Valley United Methodist Church, 1593 Lipan Blvd, Fort Mohave, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lewis Turner Memorial Fund, PO Box 706, Gila Bend, AZ 85337.