OBITUARY

Charles Herbert Blaine Turner

March 9, 1959 – January 24, 2022

IN THE CARE OF

Halverson, Stone & Myers Mortuary

Charles “Chuck” Herbert Blaine Turner died on Monday, January 24, 2022, at Torrance Memorial Hospital after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 62 years old. Chuck lived almost his whole life in Torrance and worked as a musician.

Chuck was born in southern California on March 9, 1959. He lived the first five years of his life in Gardena and then moved to Torrance. He attended Hickory School where he was in the Torrance Youth Band and Boy Scouts. He graduated from Torrance High School, where he was in the Troubadours and in the musical Oklahoma. He also attended El Camino College where he majored in music. Chuck played keyboards with many local bands over the years, including Tony DeFranco and the DeFranco Family, Turnaround, Johnny Rad and the Eggplants, Blue Thunder, 3121 Click, big jerks, Selah!, Duck Soup, and many others. Chuck also was employed as a musician at Leuzinger High School and at a ballet studio. He played keyboards in local churches including First United Methodist Church in Torrance, Ascension Lutheran, and others. He also wrote music and gave music lessons.

Chuck had a strong interest in genealogy and was in contact with extended family throughout the country. Chuck enjoyed making people laugh with silly jokes and cooking for his family. He liked hiking on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and spending time with his nieces.

The last 15 years of his life, Chuck spent caring for his elderly parents, Eugene Turner (who died in 2017) and Shirley Turner (who died in 2019), at their home in Torrance. Chuck helped his mother with some of her years of volunteering for the Madrona Marsh Preserve.

Chuck was part of a 12-step program, coming for the first time to the South Bay Fellowship on September 3, 1995. He maintained his sobriety with love, respect and dignity for the next 26 years. During his new life he continued giving his time, talents and service to help those who were struggling with the disease of addiction. He performed at countless fundraisers to keep the phone lines working and the doors open for those seeking recovery. Chuck wasn’t just a member of the fellowship; he was a prime example to so many of not only how to get clean and sober, but how to stay clean and sober. Chuck carried the respect and love of countless others. A friendship to so many that is truly irreplaceable and will be truly missed.

Chuck is survived by his sisters Teresa Turner, who lives in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and Margaret Turner, who lives in Beverly, Massachusetts, and by his nieces, Jania Turner and Angel Turner. Jania and Angel greatly miss their “Uncle Charlie.” Chuck also had many wonderful, loyal friends who helped him through his illness. His family is very grateful for the help of all of these friends.

Chuck’s funeral will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, at 9:00 am, at the First United Methodist Church, 1551 El Prado Avenue, Torrance. The service will be accessible remotely on zoom (see below for zoom link). Burial will follow at 11:00 am at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 South Western Ave. Rancho Palos Verdes. Visitation will be Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Halverson, Stone and Myers, 1223 Cravens Avenue, Torrance, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a 12-step program, or to support the community of musicians.

The zoom link for Charles’ Memorial Service is:

Topic: Charles Turner Memorial Service

Time: Feb 25, 2022 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83281633023?pwd=MjgwN1NTQXB6ZCtESm1Fc3hoU01aQT09

Meeting ID: 832 8163 3023

Passcode: 121670

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