Russell Todd Turner

After a heroic four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Russell Todd Turner passed away at his home surrounded by his devoted family on March 5, 2024.  Russell was born December 8, 1958, in Milford, Utah, to Clyde and Marion Turner. He is the second of four siblings, including his older brother Stephen Turner, and younger sisters, Lisa Hogge and Aimee Charlton - with whom he was very close to his entire life.  

According to his mother, Russell was born with a gentle spirit and was an easy baby to raise. At four years old his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. At 8 years old Russell joined his first organized baseball team and discovered he was born with a competitive spirit and a natural gift for athletics.

Sports became a staple in Russell’s early life while attending elementary at Ruth Fyfe Elementary and R.O. Gibson Junior High.   Russell seemed to really thrive once in high school.  During his time at Western High School, Russell was a three-sport varsity athlete. His athletic accomplishments included two Nevada State championships in football, and two first-team all-state honors for baseball.  After graduating in 1977, Russell decided to attend Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona so he could continue chasing his dream of playing professional baseball. When his older brother Stephen passed away during his second year of college, he decided to move closer to home and played his final two years of baseball at Southern Utah State College in Cedar City, UT.

It was there that he met his best friend and lifelong companion, Teresa Sullivan who was also attending school in Cedar City.   Russell and Teresa were married on October 11th, 1980, in Las Vegas, Nevada and settled in Cedar City while they finished their Business and Elementary Education degrees, respectively.  In 1986, they moved to St. George, Utah where Russell started his career in Finance with Williamsburg Savings Bank, which through multiple mergers and acquisitions, eventually became Wells Fargo Advisors.   Though conservative in nature, he was incredibly intelligent and became St. George’s first Certified Financial Planner (CFP).  His clients and colleagues appreciated his down-to-earth personality and was trusted by all who knew him.

Russ preferred spending his time outside whether it be in the mountains, on the golf course, or mowing his yard. He passed his love of fishing, hunting and enjoying the outdoors to his children, much like his father did for him. Even while undergoing chemotherapy and other invasive cancer treatments, he could be found fishing, golfing or riding his ATVs on Kolob Reservoir or at his cabin in the Beaver mountains.   

Russell is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Teresa Turner (St George).  

His children: Mitchell Turner (Jennifer), Bountiful, Sarah Melling (Kyle) St. George, and Andrea Hollingsworth (Mason) Springville, UT.

His grandchildren: Stevie Melling, Andrew Turner, Scottie Melling, Harper Hollingsworth, Ethan Turner, Penelope Turner, Griffin Hollingsworth and one more grandson due in August.

His adoring sisters, Lisa (Daren) Hogge of Alpine and Aimee Charleton of American Fork, and many nieces and nephews.  

Russ was preceded in death by his parents Clyde Eugene and Marion Sevy Turner, and brother Stephen Eugene Turner.

Russell’s journey on earth has ended, but he would tell anyone who asks to “tee it high and let it fly!” Live life to its fullest and spend it with those you love.  He will live on in the hearts of all those who were lucky enough to know him.

Until we meet again.

The family invites friends and loved ones to a memorial service to celebrate Russell’s life on March 16, 2024, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, UT.   Viewings will be held Friday, March 15, 2024, from 5:00 pm. to 7:00 pm and another on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am., with the memorial service directly following at 11:00 am

Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery following the services.

We would like to give special thanks to the IHC Cancer Center for leading Russell’s four-year cancer fight and Dixie Hospice for his end of life care.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Russell's online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com