Jeffrey Lynn Turner

Jeffrey Lynn Turner passed away the week of April 14, 2025, after a life of service, kindness, and love within the community.

Jeff was born on October 22, 1953, in Logan, Utah, to Marden and Verna Olsen Turner. Jeff was the fourth of six kids, with older siblings David, Allen, and Marianne, and younger siblings Deborah and Susan.

As a child in Cache Valley, Utah, Jeff loved playing with his siblings and cousins, especially his sister, Debbie. As the younger kids, Jeff, Debbie, and Susie often pestered their older siblings to be included. Because Jeff and Debbie were fewer than two years apart in age and spent so much time together, people often assumed they were twins. It probably didn’t help that they played the roles of twins in the local church musical one year.

Jeff’s artistic gifts were evident early on in his life. He had a unique gift for making the spaces around him beautiful. Even as a little boy, Jeff sketched every chance he could get. Jeff loved gardening, so much so that his mom, Verna, started a 4H club for gardening so Jeff could participate. Jeff loved it, but he also discovered he had severe seasonal allergies, which he would deal with his entire life. That didn’t stop Jeff from planting gardens of vegetables and beautiful flowers in the communities in which he lived throughout his life.

During his years at Sky View High School, Jeff took art classes, learning fundamentals that bolstered his natural gift for drawing and sculpture. He participated in the Front Porch Majority, a singing and dancing group. He also performed in the a cappella choir at the high school. When the high school put on a production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” Jeff helped build sets and constructed a beautiful tree on stage that kept him out until all hours of the night and made his mother worry. When Verna saw the tree on opening night, she was in awe of what her son had created.

After graduating from high school, Jeff attended Utah State University and Brigham Young University, where he studied landscape architecture, illustration, and art. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to southern Texas, Spanish speaking. He often used his Spanish skills throughout his life to interpret for friends, coworkers, and customers.

After attending college, a friend convinced Jeff to do sales for a few months in Las Vegas, Nevada. While there, Jeff made great friends and realized that his allergies were so much better. He ended up living in Las Vegas for close to 30 years.

Jeff was a natural salesman. He had a natural gift for discerning people’s needs and then providing what they needed. Jeff worked in different clothing stores in Las Vegas and often gifted his mother and sisters with beautiful outfits. His sister Debbie remembered getting a suit from Jeff right as she was about to go to the White House for an important meeting. Jeff had no way of knowing about the meeting. He just wanted his sister to look and feel beautiful.

From time to time, Jeff had the opportunity to help choose clothing for celebrities, like singer Wayne Newton.

While living in Las Vegas, Jeff became close with his grandmother’s sister and connected with her through family history. He spent many holidays in San Diego with his brother, Allen, and sister-in-law, Billie, spoiling their six girls with shopping trips. He graciously welcomed any family members into his home who happened to stop in Vegas on road trips.

Jeff’s dog Marco Polo was his constant companion for many years, until Jeff gave Marco to his mom. Although Verna didn’t want a dog at first, she grew to love him. And Marco became Verna’s fiercest protector.

In the early 2000s, Jeff returned to Salt Lake City, Utah, to live and moved in with his sister, Debbie. Several years later, Debbie and Jeff moved their mother from Logan to live with them. Jeff lovingly cared for his mom. The last year of Verna’s life, Jeff was her full-time caretaker. Jeff’s happiest years were spent with Debbie, Verna, Susie, and Susie’s husband, Mark. He loved living near his siblings and enjoyed visits with nieces and nephews and extended family members.

First in Las Vegas and then in Salt Lake City, Jeff worked at Lowe’s and Home Depot. Neighbors and friends regularly sought him out for his advice with renovation projects. They trusted Jeff to help them make their homes beautiful. He had a natural gift for it.

Jeff loved collecting antiques and frequented antique shops to find treasures for family members. He especially loved finding first editions of favorite books for his sisters. He also bought fun and quirky items like PEZ dispensers. His PEZ dispenser collection was legendary.

Throughout his life, Jeff was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He honored his role as a priesthood holder, he was very generous with his time, and he loved giving gifts to people around him. Jeff was a kind and good man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him and loved him. He was a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Jeff is survived by his siblings, David (Marilyn); Allen (Billie); Marianne Fredrickson (Brent); and Deborah Turner; and his brother-in-law, Mark Harbertson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marden and Verna Olsen Turner, and his sister, Susan.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the College Young Chapel at 2394 West 2200 South in College Ward, Utah. Interment will be at Logan City Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.