Lloyd Charles Turner, 79 years old, passed away peacefully May 12, 2024, in Cottonwood, AZ surrounded by his wife and daughter. He was born on May 21, 1944, in Havre, Montana to Charles Turner and Mildred Vlk Turner.
He graduated in 1962 from Big Sandy High School in Montana. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol Turner, his sister Diana Thompson, his children from his first marriage to Elaine Blazek; daughter Loyelle Ellis and son Lance Turner, granddaughter Stephanie Ellis, and stepson James Palmer. During High School Lloyd was a lifeguard at the local pool, his love of water and sense of adventure prompted him to enlist in the Navy in April of 1963, where he served on the U.S.S. Midway for 4 Years during the Vietnam War. Upon returning from the Navy, he moved to Renton, WA where he worked for Boeing for 7 years, on the Model SST and in aircraft electronics. He continued to reside in the greater Seattle area working on navigation systems of Leer Jets, electrical systems of Classic Cars and installing and repairing large commercial Boilers.
Lloyd has always been a lover of the outdoors; particularly fishing, clamming, hunting, boating, camping, and water-skiing. This led him to designing and building a two-story log house using trees from his own property within the deep forest of Western Washington. After enjoying living off the grid, on the lake with his wife Carol for 13 years, their mutual love of adventure led them to embark on a roadside journey throughout the U.S. and Eastern Canada exploring the beauty of the outdoors in their RV. Meeting many treasured new friends and exploring National and State Parks along with many other interesting places and festivals, after building many precious memories throughout those 15 years, they decided to settle down with a new home base in Arizona. Enjoying walking his beloved dog Frankie and doing water aerobics.
Lloyd's free spirit will be deeply missed by all the ones who loved this kind man. He would jump in to help his neighbors and community at large. A leader at the Lake community in preserving fresh drinking water systems, fighting forest fires in Montana Parks and at one of his favorite camping spots Lake Kachese, helping stranded drivers in need, saving the life of a drowning woman in the Green River Gorge. His Fireworks shows were a favorite Fourth of July tradition. He loved building, installing, fixing, and working on things. Making fabulous breakfasts using home picked berries. A true thrill seeker hanging out with his kids' white-water rafting, frequenting amusement parks, finding hidden-away hot springs and jumping off cliffs. A life well-lived.
"I will experience everything in my life so that on the final journey to my death my nights will not be haunted by regret! The words Lloyd believed and lived by.
