Lasting Memories
Vernon Floyd Turner
July 4, 1936-Aug. 8, 2018
San Jose, California
Vernon Floyd Turner (July 4, 1936 – August 8, 2018) At the age of 82, Vernon Floyd Turner passed away peacefully on August 8, 2018 in San Jose, California, his daughter Kathryn at his side. Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on the 4th of July 1936 to Lawrence and Mildred Turner, Vern and his younger brother Marvin were raised in and around Northern California. He graduated from Arcata High in 1954 where he played the clarinet in the high school band. He briefly studied at Humboldt State before moving on to and graduating from Cal Poly in 1958. Between 1958 and 1961, Vern served in the U.S. Army, training at Ft. Ord, Ft. Benning and Ft. Lee before heading to the Canal Zone as an Army Printer. Vern met the love of his life, Carol Ann Grenier while working in Redwood City. The two were married in 1964. They settled in Palo Alto before Vern went to work for the IRS in Virginia 1972. In 1975 the family moved back to the Bay Area, living in Foster City before settling in Menlo Park in 1978. Vern was a very devoted husband to Carol Ann and loving father to his children – James, Kathryn, Grant and Amanda. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a master of corny “Dad jokes.” He was also quite handy around the house. The Turners were also dedicated members of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Vern particularly enjoyed the brotherhood and friendships he made as a regular member of the Men’s Bible study group. Being born on the 4th of July also had its impact. Vern was quite fond of the patriotic music. He was also an avid sports fan. He loved the 49ers and Giants – he was a huge Willie Mays fan. Vern has also conducted a lot of genealogy research, traveling the country in search of family connections and details, including tracing his own family lineage to soldiers in America’s Revolutionary War and earlier. Proud of this connection, Vern became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. In 1992, Vern was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. While the disease took its toll over the years, it never dampened his spirit and he remained sharp. In the 1990s, Vern took a job with Avenidas in Palo Alto, a nonprofit organization. in 2007, after living on the Peninsula for many decades, Vern and Carol Ann moved to Bellingham, WA. After Carol Ann passed in 2016, he returned to the Bay Area, settling in San Jose. While Parkinson’s Disease eventually took his ability to walk and speak, he still enjoyed family, particularly seeing his grandchildren. Vern is survived by his children James (Tamara) Turner of Leesburg, VA, Kathryn (Michael) Limprecht of Santa Clara, CA, Grant (Ryoko) Turner of Campbell, CA and Amanda Turner of Norman, OK, 11 grandchildren and cousins.
Sept. 21, 2018
