Paul Alan Turner

Paul is survived by his loving wife Robin Turner and his only son Brad Turner. He also leaves behind a large and loving family made up of his siblings Remus (Diane) Turner, Janet Barrows, Joseph (Paula) Turner, Robin’s children Elisa Allen and Mikey Wood, six collective grandchildren, and a plethora of loved ones including nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, and great nephews, many of whom were with him in his final days.

I am honored to have the opportunity to write these words about my father, a man who loved with such benevolence and compassion. He was one of the most patient, understanding, and non-judgmental human beings I’ve ever come across in my life. Paul was a spiritual optimist who devoted his time to internal and external peace for himself and others. He taught so many of us to love unconditionally, forgive, and have gratitude.

My father's hobbies, interests, and careers were diverse and spanned many decades. In the 1980's he spent time as a house-parent for kids without families or a place to call home. He then started his own business selling equipment and ingredients for home brewers. (We always joked he was 30 years too early!) My dad worked in sales for many years which allowed him to pick me up from school every day and play basketball in the driveway. After I graduated from college, he circled back to serving others as a service coordinator for an assisted living facility. He would later go on to become a primary caretaker for his aging parents. In his retirement, my father channeled his passion for the financial markets into day trading. Paul loved to play chess, watch a good movie at a theater, and always had a book or two he was reading and sharing. Most that knew him well also knew he was a bit of a political junkie, but not in a divisive and argumentative way; that was never his style. You just had to accept CNN broadcasting non-stop at a deafening volume!

The accompanying picture was one I chose from our annual Turner Beach Trip at Sunset Beach, NC. Cropped out of the picture is me; sitting right next to him on the porch. You can feel his peace. He is surrounded by loved ones while watching the ocean, feeling the breeze, and smelling the beach air. “I’m at peace” was a phrase he would repeat to me many times over the past month. I was so grateful to be with him at the very end. And sure enough, he was at peace indeed.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be planned at a later time. We ask that you please consider donations to PanCan.org or donate your time and money to a local Hospice organization. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.