Paul Turner

Plowing a New Field

Paul Hyde Turner died at home in Morgan on Saturday, December 26, 2009 with his family and his faithful dogs Nikki and Amber at his side. He was born April 13, 1921, in Morgan, to Albert Roy and Clara Hyde Turner. He lived most of his 88 years within 600 yards of his birthplace. He was a lucky man to have loved what he did, tilling the soil, nurturing the land, raising crops and a family. He was the second of five children, with three sisters and one brother.

Paul graduated from Morgan High School, where he served as student body president, and received a Union Pacific scholarship to attend Utah State Agriculture College in Logan. He left school during World War II to help his father farm. In 1996, at 75 years of age, he realized his life-long dream and graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a B.A. in Agriculture Systems and Technology.

Following his parents' example of inviting foreign students to learn farming at their home, Paul invited several young men to live with his family while working with him on the farm. He excelled in his farming abilities and in the 1960's he received the Ford Foundation Efficiency Award for proficiency in forage production, the first time the prestigious award was given in Utah. He raised and milked registered Jersey cows, raised chickens, pigs, delicious red potatoes, barley and alfalfa. He did custom farm work in Davis County and Morgan County. He gave community service, serving on county and city planning commissions, water boards, Morgan County Farm Bureau president, and was elected Morgan County Assessor for 32 years. He was a registered appraiser. He served in callings in the LDS Church.

Paul married Reba Kygar of Devils Slide in the Logan Temple and together they had five children: Marsha Ann Martin (Floyd), Jan (Fran) Turner, both of Morgan, Merrilee Hopkin of Roy, Wendy Turner, Yuma, AZ, and Kirsten Ball (Curtis) of Sandy, Utah. Reba died in 1969.

Paul married Pamela Russell Clark in 1970 and welcomed into the family Pamela's four children: Marcia Pryor (John), West Jordan, Gaylene Kimbal (Bret), Morgan, Russell Clark (Elise), American Fork, and Roger Clark (Betty), West Jordan. Paul has 33 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by parents and siblings, Alberta, RomaJeanne, Marianne, excepting his brother Joe Turner (Regina) who resides in Longmont, Colorado.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., in the LDS Rock Chapel, 10 West Young Street, in Morgan. Viewing will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Mortuary, Morgan, and Wednesday at the chapel from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Interment, South Morgan Cemetery

Send condolences to the family at www.walker-mortuary.com