Obituary for Gary Wayne Turpin
Gary Wayne Turpin, age 66 years, of Centertown, Mo., passed away Sunday June 14, 2020, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born on February 9, 1954 in Jefferson City, Mo., the son of Wilson “Turp” and Dorothy (Miller) Turpin. He was married on March 1, 1979 in Hartsburg, Mo. to Donna Smallwood who survives at home.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Gary was a driver for 18 years with Farmer’s Concrete.
Gary had a love for the outdoors. Whether he was fishing, hunting or camping, he was at home in nature. He enjoyed cooking and never made a meal his friends and family didn’t love. He loved listening to his family play music and watching westerns, especially Gunsmoke and anything starring John Wayne. Gary spent a lot of time in Hartsburg, Mo. and held fond memories of traveling to Montana and Tennessee.
He cherished time with his family and loved them unconditionally; his main passion was spending time with his granddaughters. Gary will always be known for his big heart, giving nature and approachable demeanor. The old saying “he never met a stranger” was absolutely true of Gary; he greeted all with a smile and was willing to do anything he could for others and never complained. He always gave the very best of himself and was dedicated to doing all things to the best of his ability. Gary will be greatly missed by those who knew him but they will continue to live by his motto “I don’t believe in goodbye”, and simply say, “I’ll see you later”.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 41 years, Donna Turpin of Centertown, Mo.; one son, Travis Turpin (Jennifer) of Clarksburg, Mo.; one daughter, Rebecca Turpin of Centertown, Mo.; three brothers, Jimmy, Paul and Jeff Turpin all of Jefferson City, Mo., two sisters, Rhonda Lauf (husband Doug) of Henley, Mo. and Dana Mans (husband Casey) of Eugene, Mo.; and four grandchildren, Jasmine Gordon, Brianna Turpin, Zoey Turpin and Danielle Jenkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John Turpin and Terry Turpin; four sisters, Sherry Turpin, Wanda Clevenger, Deanna Turpin, and JoAnn Kelsey; and one grandson, Austin Turpin.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Thursday, June 18, 2020. The general public is welcome to attend the visitation while following social distancing guidelines.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am Friday, June 19, 2020 in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Shay Carpenter officiating.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 10:00 am Friday for friends that are not able to attend, by going to the photos & video tab, scrolling down to the bottom of the page and click on webcasting. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Gary Turpin memorial fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
www.freemanmortuary.com
He was born on February 9, 1954 in Jefferson City, Mo., the son of Wilson “Turp” and Dorothy (Miller) Turpin. He was married on March 1, 1979 in Hartsburg, Mo. to Donna Smallwood who survives at home.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Gary was a driver for 18 years with Farmer’s Concrete.
Gary had a love for the outdoors. Whether he was fishing, hunting or camping, he was at home in nature. He enjoyed cooking and never made a meal his friends and family didn’t love. He loved listening to his family play music and watching westerns, especially Gunsmoke and anything starring John Wayne. Gary spent a lot of time in Hartsburg, Mo. and held fond memories of traveling to Montana and Tennessee.
He cherished time with his family and loved them unconditionally; his main passion was spending time with his granddaughters. Gary will always be known for his big heart, giving nature and approachable demeanor. The old saying “he never met a stranger” was absolutely true of Gary; he greeted all with a smile and was willing to do anything he could for others and never complained. He always gave the very best of himself and was dedicated to doing all things to the best of his ability. Gary will be greatly missed by those who knew him but they will continue to live by his motto “I don’t believe in goodbye”, and simply say, “I’ll see you later”.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 41 years, Donna Turpin of Centertown, Mo.; one son, Travis Turpin (Jennifer) of Clarksburg, Mo.; one daughter, Rebecca Turpin of Centertown, Mo.; three brothers, Jimmy, Paul and Jeff Turpin all of Jefferson City, Mo., two sisters, Rhonda Lauf (husband Doug) of Henley, Mo. and Dana Mans (husband Casey) of Eugene, Mo.; and four grandchildren, Jasmine Gordon, Brianna Turpin, Zoey Turpin and Danielle Jenkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John Turpin and Terry Turpin; four sisters, Sherry Turpin, Wanda Clevenger, Deanna Turpin, and JoAnn Kelsey; and one grandson, Austin Turpin.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Thursday, June 18, 2020. The general public is welcome to attend the visitation while following social distancing guidelines.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am Friday, June 19, 2020 in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Shay Carpenter officiating.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 10:00 am Friday for friends that are not able to attend, by going to the photos & video tab, scrolling down to the bottom of the page and click on webcasting. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Gary Turpin memorial fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
www.freemanmortuary.com