LA JARA— Richard Alan Turner, 74, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2019 in the home he built for his family. He was surrounded by his loving wife Linda, and his beloved children and grandchildren.
Richard, the youngest of five children of George and Florence Turner, was raised on a dairy farm in New York, where he learned the value of hard work and family togetherness at an early age. He graduated from Horseheads High School in New York in 1962 and from Cornell University in 1970.
On June 26, 1965 he married Linda Klesa at St. Matthew’s Church in New York. She was a 1963 graduate of Horseheads High School, and a sophomore at Cornell University.
During the summer of 1970, he and his wife moved to the San Luis Valley, and with his father, built their first house in Colorado.
Richard spent his life making everything he touched better.
He enjoyed both renovating and modernizing properties, as well as building custom new homes. He patiently taught his extensive skills to his children and to anyone who wanted to learn more about building.
Richard was a committed Christian, who taught Sunday School and was a Cub Scout leader.
He sang bass in a male Gospel quartet. He was a devoted family man with an unwavering work ethic. He was also an avid reader and researcher.
Richard is survived by his wife Linda, and their children Adam (Kim) Turner, Jennifer (Peter) Rorvig, Susannah (Miles) Blaine, Jonathan (Staci) Turner, Laura (Steven) Beadnell, Katherine (Jeffrey Keim) Turner, and their grandchildren Emma (Aaron) Bandy, David Turner, Zoe Rorvig, Isaac Rorvig, Nathaniel Rorvig, Sparrow Rorvig, Anna Blaine, Esther Blaine, Lydia Blaine, Naomi Blaine, Madeline Beadnell, Charles Beadnell, George Beadnell, Lilly Turner and William Turner.
A private family memorial service was held and interment will take place in New York. Condolences for the family may be sent to P.O. Box 534, La Jara, CO 81140.