Gary Lovell Turner

BURLEY – Gary Lovell Turner, 81, of Burley, Idaho, passed away early Sunday morning, February 11, 2024, at his home with his family by his side.

He was the first born of Lovell James and Beth Wood Turner. He made his earthly appearance at the Cottage Hospital in Burley, Idaho, on March 26, 1942. Gary grew up on the family farm north of Declo where he learned the value and joy of hard work at an early age. One of his first farm assignments came when he was just six years old. He harrowed newly-plowed soil behind a team of horses, where he would go the length of the field. His dad would then meet him at the end of the row and turn the team around for him. Gary would then drive the horses the length of the field the other way and repeat until the harrowing was done. Gary wasn’t ever afraid of hard work or above any job, and could outwork any twenty-year-old well into his seventies.

Gary’s school days were spent at Declo Elementary, Jr. High and High Schools. He excelled in sports and academics playing football and basketball as well as participating on the track team as a sprinter and a skilled high jumper. He sang in a quartet with three of his buddies where they enjoyed performing for many school and community events. Gary loved his classmates and could talk to anybody – a skill he demonstrated throughout all his life. He considered everyone he ever met to be his friend and he was a life-long learner. He graduated as co-valedictorian of his class in 1960.

Gary attended Utah State University that same fall, and returned to work the following summer on the family farm. He found additional employment shoveling grain at the Burley Flour Mill to earn enough money to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was assigned to the Sweden Stockholm Mission from 1961-1964. Gary absolutely loved the language, culture, and the people he served. His time in Sweden brought some of his most treasured experiences as he shared the good news of the gospel with those he met. His mission would forever bless his life and those of his family.

After returning from his mission, Gary and a group of his friends organized a rock climbing/picnic party at the City of Rocks. It was there where Glena Carter, who was on a date with his friend, caught his attention. He was immediately impressed by her natural beauty, adventurous spirit, and selfless nature. The rest is history, and they were married for time and all eternity on a cold December morning in the Logan Utah Temple. The newlyweds attended BYU where Gary received his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1967. Gary and Glena returned to Utah State a year later to earn a Master’s degree. Gary graduated in 1970 Magna cum laude with a degree in Economic Education. Gary and Glena had five children between the years of 1966 and 1977 – Craig, Cathy, Darby, David, and Shannon. Tragedy struck in 1974 when their oldest daughter, Cathy was killed in a bicycle-car accident. Family continues to be everything to the Turners, and Gary was a fun, faithful and devoted husband, father, and grandpa who is loved and adored beyond words.

Gary was born to teach. He began his teaching career at Washington Jr. High School in Rupert where he taught seventh grade math and coached football. Beginning in 1970, he taught at Declo High School. Over the next seven years he taught most subjects, but English was his forte. He even directed the junior class drama production during those years. In 1977, Gary transferred to Burley High School where he taught government, economics, sociology, and was the advisor over the senior class until he retired from the school district after twenty years. He then directed the College of Southern Idaho GED program at the Burley Campus, educating until 2004.

Gary was a master farmer. He grew green peas and sweet corn for the Del Monte corporation. He raised dry beans, hay, and grain. He enjoyed many years of farming with his oldest son, Craig. In 1994, they received a Top Ten Grower award for potatoes from the Simplot Company. They worked hard and took great pride in their harvest each year. Though tragedy struck again in 1999 when Gary was poisoned by Temic fumes and nearly lost his life, he was blessed to recover and farm another three years before retiring in 2002.

Gary enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, and found working with wood, building, and creating to be very satisfying after he retired. He began a hobby business constructing seating arrangements for elementary school classrooms. He started his Kiva business. Kiva, meaning “special learning place.” Gary and Glena enjoyed traveling around delivering Kiva benches to elementary schools throughout the western United States. Gary was passionate about helping educators improve their classrooms and teaching methods.

Always active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gary willingly served in many callings – counselor in the bishopric, ward clerk, ward executive secretary, a member of the stake high council, Young Mens president, Cub Scout leader, Primary teacher, stake Spanish speaking missionary, and stake mission presidency counselor. In 2005, Gary gladly accepted the invitation to return to Sweden with his sweetheart, Glena, for 18 months to serve a couples’ mission serving the young adults in Stockholm. Then, ten years later, they were called to serve in the Palmyra New York Temple. Gary and Glena enjoyed many wonderful years of serving in the Church together. One of their most favorite assignments was serving in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple as ordinance workers, where he served diligently until 2021, when Alzheimer’s no longer allowed him to do so.

Gary was preceded in death his daughter, Cathy; a granddaughter, Mallory Beth Monroe; his parents; and two brothers, Dale and Garth. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Glena; his children, Craig (Michelle Hansen), Darby (Tod Stapelman), David (Sandra Bradley), and Shannon (Matt Monroe); 17 grandchildren, Sara, Emily, Mike, Jacob, Breanna, Carly, Carter, James, Josh, Taylie, Kalyssa, Jordyn, Kynli, Annyka, Abby, Kate, and Luke; one great- granddaughter, Eliza Kristine; one brother, Ron (Linda) Turner; one sister, Joye (John) Simpson; and one sister-in-law, Colleen Turner.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 17, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Burley Stake Center, located at 2050 Normal Avenue, in Burley, with Bishop Jacob Goedhart officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, February 16, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday prior to the service, at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/t_wJimvSNyk.