Marland Turner

Marland Turner affectionately called "Mack" or "Mr. Mack" was born on January 30, 1941, in Bluff, Oklahoma to his parents, Will Turner and Daisy Jeffries Turner. He was one of twelve children born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his brothers, W.A, Theatrice, Richard, Lovis, Carl, Charles and his sisters, Mazola, Mae Francis, Effie, Verna Mae and Marilyn. Marland received his early education in Hugo, Oklahoma where he attended the Booker T. Washington High School. On February 4, 1964, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served his country during the Vietnam War. He was decorated with a Marksmen Ribbon and a Vietnam Service Medal. He served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged. After serving in the Military he made his home in Phoenix, Arizona where he worked at the telephone company, and later moved to Denver, Colorado. On August 26, 1977, "Mack" united in holy matrimony to the former Wallicia A. Thomas. They exchanged vows in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Wallicia remembers her husband as a man who was loving, kind and a true family man whose pride and joy was the care and nurture of his family. She fondly remembers when they married; he became the father of James Edward, Antoine, Charmaine, Dorothea and Kimberly. He was already the father of Kevin and Jacqueline. This large blended family was now complete. Marland raised them to treat each other as siblings, love each other and never refer to one another as "step." They all remember doing things as a family. They traveled together, whether in the states or on cruises, they attended sports events together, and they all truly enjoyed sharing and spending time as a family. Marland made many sacrifices for his family. Marland was a God-fearing man, even though he did not attend Church on a regular basis, he was a strong believer that he had God in his heart, and felt that as long as you were honest, had love in your heart, and treated people with respect, then he was pleasing to God. Later, he was blessed with his grandchildren, Keeva, Christina, Rickey, Eric, Taylor, Kylie, Ramon, Shaphan, Chardae, ReSharee, Charita, Sedrick, AunJanee, Devin, Kyree, Robert, Marquita, LaToya, Tashawn, Keva, Precious, Bianca and Gary who all were an additional source of joy and pride in his life. They fondly remember him tormenting every single one of them but he also loved them unconditionally and his face would light up when he saw them. He would also treat many of the neighborhood children as a grandchild. It was not unusual to have children knock at the door and ask "if he could come out and play." His children as well as his grand-children would always have to warn their friends of Marland's personality; a big kid at heart. Although he teased and tormented, he had a serious side to him, and he never judged anyone, and taught his family not to judge others, and would explain that everybody had a story. He absolutely despised gossip, and always felt like if you had a problem with a person, you should discuss it with that person, and not others. He would never bite his tongue, and said what was on his mind, and did not sugarcoat anything. Marland was a wonderful, inspirational, well respected man that always encouraged others to better themselves through education, hard work and dedication to family. It didn't matter whose child you were, he was always there to give sound advice to all. He was a great teacher and mentor, and had a great impact on many people. Marland was a very honest man, and could not stand a liar, and always said if you tell one lie, you have to tell two or three more.. so just tell the truth the first time, and you don't have to try to remember the truth. Marland had 9-Lives, and never complained, and was always his joyful self. Although we will miss him dearly, his suffering is now over. By profession, Marland was employed by Litvak Packing Company as a Butcher. He is remembered as being hardworking, dependable and one who worked well with his co-workers. He retired after many years of faithful service, and worked part-time at Howard's Liquor Store where he met many new friends. Marland was a member of the Just Us Social Club. He truly enjoyed sharing and spending time with his fellow club members. He was a fun loving man who enjoyed life and those he encircled. In his free time, he loved playing dominoes, he enjoyed visits to the casino, he and his brothers enjoyed visiting the dog tracks and he loved to hunt. His all-time favorite hobby was "Lottery scratch tickets", two fives and a ten, and when his grandchildren showed up without a scratch ticket, he would pout like a child. He had been a player for many, many years and even as health started to decline, he continued to play when he could. Marland was a sports enthusiast and loved any type of sport where a ball was involved. His favorite television program, other than sports was CNN. He was also a man who took great pride in working in his yard whether cutting his grass or simply watching it as it was watered. His closest friends, Virgil Lovett, Lindsey Jeter, Terry Boatner, Gerald Patton, Charles Smith, Tom Ayatch, Jim Giddings, and Albert Cherry will miss the comradery they all shared together and the fact that he was a true and genuine friend. He was a person who never met a stranger and a friend to all. Marland loved to cook, and it was nothing for him to throw a slab of ribs, chicken, polish sausage, and brats on the grill, fix your plate, watch you eat it, and could make all the food look beautiful on the plate. Marland will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this man who had a heart of gold and who was warm and giving. He had a special group of friends that he tormented, criticized and sometimes teased but all who knew him, knew it was his way of having fun and making you feel welcomed. To know Marland was to love him. Marland is preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, W.A., Richard and Lovis; 3 sisters, Mae Francis, Verna Mae, and Marilyn and a grandson, Sedrick. Marland Turner departed this life on July 6, 2014, in his home in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife, Wallicia "Lisa" A. Turner, Denver; three sons, Kevin Turner, Seattle, WA, Antoine (Anita) Goodlow, Queensland, Australia and James E. Goodlow, Toledo, Ohio; four daughters, Jacqueline "Pat" (Gary) Butler, Boswell, OK, Charmaine Goodlow, Aurora, Dorothea Goodlow-Niblet and Kimberly D. Goodlow both Denver; three brothers, Theatrice "Lip" Turner, Denver, Charles (Gracie) Turner, Speer, OK and Carl Turner, Denver; one sister, Mazola McKerson, Oklahoma City, OK; twenty two grandchildren; twenty five great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/15/2014 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/16/2014 at 1:00 PM - Rising Star Baptist Church - 1500 S. Dayton St. , Denver, CO