Charles L. Turner

Charles “Charley” Lee Turner, son of Gene and Maude (Wade) Turner, was born November 10, 1940, at Seymour, Missouri. He passed away, after a long illness, on December 16, 2022. His favorite names were “Dad” or “Pa”.

Charley graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1958 and attended college for a short time at SMS. He worked many jobs early on including pea and bean harvests in Oregon and Washington and worked at different times on a crop and pig farm in Iowa. He also worked on a fire-fighting crew in the Oregon mountains and on a tugboat on the Mississippi River.

In 1962 he enlisted in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1968. He met his future wife, Nancy Lee Mackey, in 1963 and they were married in 1964. They had one son, Steven.

He loved to be on his farm where through the years he raised goats, beef cattle, and bison, and operated a dairy. Charley was a builder and helped build many commercial buildings and residential homes. He could figure the pitch of a roof or yards of concrete in his head. He was truly amazing at building things. Charley built the home in which he passed away.

He loved to buy and sell things and restored many tractors, trucks, and cars with his son and later his grandson by his side. He was very proud of both of them along with his daughter-in-law, Pam, who loved to work alongside of them.

Charley loved to hunt, fish, train bird and coon dogs. He trained a Walker pup who became a dual night champion. He was very lost when his health wouldn’t permit him to do all these things that he enjoyed. During his illness, each day he would tell his wife how much he appreciated her faithfully taking such good care of him through the many years of his sickness. He felt so fortunate to have his wonderful little family that cared for him so much. Charley was so appreciative of everyone who kept check on him by visit, message, or phone call, and especially his classmate/sister-in-law, Louese Turner, who visited and helped care for him many times.

Charley was preceded in death by his parents, Gene & Maude Turner; brothers, Terry Turner and Ted Turner; nephews, John Turner, Brian Turner, and Brad McGowan; nieces, Anna Mackey and Micki Kline; and several brothers-in-law, Eldon Mackey, Donnie Gaddis, Pat McGowan and Billy Mackey; a sister-in-law, Linda McGowan; and acquired grandson, Ralph Bashor.

Charley left behind his wife, Nancy Lee Turner, of 58 ½ years; his son, Steven Lee Turner and wife, Pam; grandson, Dalton Lee Turner; sister, Delores Gaddis; brother, David Turner; many nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, cousins, and his acquired grandchildren, Shawna Bashor, Shawna Morton, Amanda Goetter, Cortney Brock, Collin Bashor, Owen Bashor, and Ellie Goetter, who all called him “PA”.

Charley got his wish to never go back to the hospital. He died in his own home with his daughter-in-law, Pam Turner, holding his hand.

Charley chose to not have a funeral service or flowers, but instead, would like those who are able to donate something to those in need, especially children. His memorial stone will be placed in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Mountain Grove. He is free from suffering and pain now, but he will be missed so much by so many.

“Your Little Family”

By: Nancy Turner

God came to take him away from us

As the clock ticked in the night.

We didn’t want him to leave right then

It didn’t seem quite right.

Our love for him will never wane.

Happy now he’s free from pain.