With family at his side, Brian Turner passed away peacefully on April 5, 2008, in Flagstaff, Arizona, following a brief illness. He was born April 7, 1925, in Loa, Utah, to Ray Emmanuel and Lila Brian Turner. Following service in the United States Navy during WWII, Brian attended school in Cedar City, Utah, and met Louise Webster while both were students at the Branch Agricultural College, now Southern Utah University.
Brian and Louise were married August 20, 1948, in the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, subsequently moving to Arizona where Brian completed his education at Arizona State College (Northern Arizona University).They spent 57 wonderful years together prior to Louise's death on January 24, 2006.
For 30 years Brian worked as educator, basketball coach, and principal in Flagstaff schools, serving grade school, junior high and high school children in the community. He was the principal of South Beaver Elementary School, athletic director and assistant principal of Flagstaff High, and the first principal of Coconino High School. He retired from his career in education as principal of Marshall Elementary School.
Brian lived a life of service outside his profession being a volunteer firefighter while working in Kingman and later in Flagstaff, was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was a member the Kiwanis organization. He especially enjoyed his participation with students and faculty at Marshall School, conducting a yearly food and supplies drive for the children living at Happy Farms Orphanage in Mexico.
Brian was a good neighbor, a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa; he will be deeply missed. Brian is survived by his sons Richard Brian (Kathleen), Paradise, CA, and Raymond Mark (Ginger), Las Vegas, NV; 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; a brother, Garn (Genive), Loa, UT, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Kirk Turner, and sister Beth Downard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund c/o Bishop Kevin Kortsen, 9815 Mountainaire Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 11, at the LDS Chapel, 4165 Lake Mary Road. Visitation will also be at the Chapel from 1-1:45 p.m. Internment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery on Saturday at 2 p.m.