James Edward Turner

James Edward (Jim) Turner passed away November 21, 2018 in Logan, Utah where he lived with his wife Nannette and his two sons Nathan and Dylan. Jim devoted his last years to raising and nurturing his sons who embody many of their father’s much-loved qualities.
Jim was born on September 12, 1954 in Walnut Creek, California the fifth of seven children of Paul and Shirley Turner. The family eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California where Jim attended Soquel High School and studied biology, environmental science and horticulture at University of California, Santa Cruz and Cabrillo Community College. Jim worked in land surveying in and around the Santa Cruz Mountains before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and thence to Logan, Utah with his family.
Jim was an ardent environmentalist and during his time in Santa Cruz practiced organic gardening with his since-departed mother, Shirley and, like his mother, enjoyed cooking for family and friends. Jim sought the adventure that comes with travel and spent time living and working with his brother Tim in Amsterdam, Holland and later traveled to the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand and the Philippines.
While noted for his kind and loving spirit, Jim was a fierce competitor on the basketball court and showed no mercy as he dominated nieces and nephews at games of “spoons” or chess at family gatherings. Voted by acclamation “Best uncle ever, hands down!”. Jim is remembered for his special quality of having been able to engage with anyone at any level.
Jim is survived by his wife Nannette and his sons Nathan and Dylan. He is survived by his sisters Judy Hemann (Roy), Paula Kenny (Bill), Virginia Turner (Gary) and Mary Turner (Jeffrey) and his brothers Paul (Eileen) and John (Shelley). Jim was predeceased by his half-brother Tim Sodd (Liz). Jim’s many nieces and nephews mourn the loss of their exuberant uncle.
Jim’s friends mourn the loss of a sweet, kind, thoughtful and always forgiving friend. We will all miss Jim’s open arms and embracing warmth.
Plans for a celebration of Jim’s life are pending.