Doug Turner

1933 - 2016

Doug Turner, 83, of Saugatuck, and Palm Springs, California passed away peacefully in Palm Springs on October 5th, 2016 following a three year battle against ill-health, a battle he fought with great courage, dignity and unfailing good humour.
Douglas Francis Turner was born on September 12th 1933 in Chicago, Illinois, the child of Frank and Lucetta Legault Turner. He spent his early childhood in the Windy City before moving to Marinette, Wisconsin. Following the untimely demise of his mother, he returned to Chicago where he was raised by his father and dear stepmother, Jean Valente Turner along with his sisters, Marjorie and Jean and brother, John.
Doug attended college in Chicago before serving in the U.S. Army in Washington State. Following his service, a natural artistic eye along with a flair for interior design led him into a successful career in the commercial illustrating and photographic business where he designed and supervised the setting of home interior scenes for photographers.
An enthusiastic traveler throughout his life, Doug visited numerous countries and cities around the world but always enjoyed returning to Saugatuck or Palm Springs. When it came to sports, however, Chicago, remained his spiritual home. He was an avid fan of both the Bears and the Blackhawks but it was with the Cubs that he had an enduring love affair. A devout member of the Chicago Cubs Nation, Doug bled Cubbie Blue throughout his life.
Doug was blessed with a singular sense of humor. With a rapier wit as sharp as his artistic eye, he could always be counted upon to bring laughter to any gathering – often through his outrageous puns.
He was also an outstanding cook, with a talent that found particular expression in the magnificent Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners he prepared for his close friends for thirty-five years.
It was in his passion for delivering Frank Sinatra songs in his rich baritone, however, that Doug found perhaps his greatest joy. He developed a following of devout fans in both Saugatuck and Palm Springs as well as in numerous far flung places that his travels took him. Not surprising then, that one of his last requests was that friends wishing to remember him, fix a drink, play an upbeat Sinatra melody, and reminisce about the good times they enjoyed in his company.
Doug is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Kate Turner of Chicago; his nephews and their families; the children of his beloved sister, Jean; and by Jerry Carpency, his loving companion of forty-four years.
There will be no funeral. A celebration of Doug's life is being planned. In the meantime, Jerry, on behalf of both he and Doug, wishes to acknowledge with great affection, the heroic efforts of Joanne Cole on Doug's behalf, the compassionate and professional care and provided to Doug by all the staff at Hallmark Assisted Living, and the friendship extended to Doug by his fellow residents who so graciously accepted him into their community.