Obituaries : Donald Eugene “Gene” Turner

Donald Eugene "Gene" Turner went to be with the Lord on July 17, 2024 at the age of 88.

Gene is survived by his children, Tim (Tracy) Turner, Terry Lee (Angie) Turner, Tammy (Mike) Wawro; grandchildren, Amy Larson, Tyler (Kate) Turner, Drew (Rachel) Frederick, Drake (Liz) Wawro, Davis Wawro; great grands, Dax and Ren Frederick, Teagan and Kinsley Turner; sister Sharon Turner; brothers-in-law Jim and Don Mahurin; sister-in-law, Sandy Mahurin and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Phyllis; his parents, his siblings, Walter, Edward, Harrison, Del, Wanda Gingrich and Shirley Pippert; Phyllis' parents, Emery and Ila Mahurin; his brother-in law Randy Mahurin and sister-in-law Carol Mahurin.

Gene was born in Garrison, Iowa to Edward and Vera (Merchant) Turner. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Mahurin in 1956 in Vinton. After learning a hard work ethic on the farm, they moved to the big city of Cedar Rapids. For the past 65 years he loved being in his home on the west side and was so grateful for the community and neighborhood where he raised his family.

Being blessed with amazing artistic ability he went to work for Nesper Sign Company in 1960. He went from being a painter's helper to an award winning designer to plant manager, growing them into one of the largest and most successful sign companies in the midwest. After a brief retirement he took a similar position with Sign Productions, with equally outstanding results.

Gene played and coached youth and adult Sports in the Cedar Rapids area for well over 50 years. He made his biggest mark in fast pitch softball. He is a member of both the Cedar Rapids and Iowa softball Hall of Fame. He played in too many state and national tournaments to count and stayed active in the game until his early 80s. His greatest joy was giving opportunities to anyone of any ability who wanted a chance to play. He never turned anyone away regardless of age or ability.

While he lost his wife at an early age, he was committed in bringing up his 3 children in a way that would have made her proud. One of the great joys of his later years, and the role he loved the most of all, was watching his own grandchildren thrive and grow as well as spending any time he could with his precious great grandchildren.

In lieu of a memorial, the Turner family invite you to enjoy attending a ball game with friends and family or provide a selfless act of service for someone in Gene's memory.

Visitation will be Sunday July 21, 2024 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids and on Monday at Faith Bible Church from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service.

The funeral service will be held on Monday July 22, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Bible Church in Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Levi Anderson. All are welcome to a luncheon at the church following the service. Following the luncheon, a burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.