Dan Turner passed away Monday April 11th, 2016. He was born in Cincinnati Ohio and spent his school years in Georgia, Texas and finally Colorado. Dan started out his restaurant career at a young age while attending the University of Cincinnati. After leaving his home town in 1979 he would continue in the restaurant business managing a number of local eateries including The Brown Derby, Rogers Real Pit BBQ, The Ketch and Ketch 22. It was later in life while volunteering at Seminole Elementary where he found his true calling. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He found a home at Nina Harris ESE Center teaching Severe and Profoundly Handicapped Children. His love, compassion and understanding of these precious children earned him the respect and love of his students, parents and co-workers. Dan also worked as a Substance Abuse Counsellor at Operation Par. He began a program where teenagers from Par would visit Nina Harris on a weekly basis and help out in the classroom. He also began a gardening project that continues on today. He will always be remembered as an educator who truly was all about the children and was not afraid to stand up for their rights or be their advocate. He loved his family, his God, music, Key West and his back yard paradise. Dan was an avid Tampa Bay Rays fan from that first pitch at Al Lang field many years ago.
Dan is survived by his wife of 35 years Carol;daughters, Elizabeth and her husband David VerWoert, Kelly and her husband Matthew Simpson;son, Billy Turner. Dan also leaves three grandsons Peyton, Collin and Preston;brother, Alex Turner of San Diego;brother in law Mark Stevenson, Sister in Law, Sue Stevenson and brother in law, Ted Stevenson;nieces, Renee, Janalyn and Alexis;nephews, Michael and Kevin and many cousins. He is also survived by his best friend Roller who misses his Daddy more each day.
Dan had a special love for people. He was not loud about it. He was not the life of the party. He was the quiet guy in the corner always surrounded by people who knew he would truly have something of great interest to say. He did not judge, he did not gossip. He prayed for everyone in his life every morning. He was a man who without great fanfare accomplished many great things in this world and asked for nothing in return.
His family was his life and he theirs and we will miss this rock that bound us together in a most special way. This quiet, unassuming and humble man would be amazed at the tributes he has received. He was kind, generous , loving and possessed a crazy sense of humor. He will be dearly missed and will be in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association and Suncoast Hospice.