Charles J. Turner

Charles was born January 27, 1938. He entered Eternal Rest on Monday, December 31, 2012. He was a resident of Burbank, California. Charles John Turner was born in Cork City, County Cork, Ireland, to proud parents Charles and Ellen (Collins) Turner and was the second eldest of seven siblings, leading his brothers and sisters Thomas, Mairead, Stephanie, Cornelius, Peter and Eileen with strong love and influence; his older brother Thomas died early in life. When Charlie was still a toddler, his father was transferred to Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, and so Tralee is the place Charlie always claimed "home." He enjoyed all sports but most especially Irish Football and proudly played for his beloved County Kerry on the Kerry National Team. In 1959 at the age of 21, inspired by dreams of success and opportunity in America, Charlie emigrated to Los Angeles, California, where he met his Columban father and dear cousin Fr. Michael Geoghegan. Always enthusiastically encouraged by Fr. Michael to attend the local Columban dances, he was soon swept off his feet by one Katherine "Kit" O'Connor from Kilanerin, County Wexford. He was smitten and wasted no time in asking in 1960 for her hand in marriage, becoming engaged before he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During the Cold War, Charlie was stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crisis of 1961 when the USSR and East Germany demanded the withdrawal of Western Armed Forces. He was assigned to the U.S Army Berlin Command to protect emigrants crossing at Checkpoint Charlie from the East German police and military. After completing his service, Charlie returned to the United States in 1962 to reunite with his Katie, and they promptly returned to Ireland to get married in her hometown of Kilanerin, County Wexford at the Church of St. Peter and Paul. Settling in a small apartment in Hollywood, California, the newlyweds began their life and family, and they were richly blessed. Charlie's first job was at the Farmer John's Meat Company in Vernon. Later, he applied for and was accepted to the Los Angeles Police Department, graduating from the Police Academy in 1965 and proudly serving the city for twenty-two years until his retirement in 1987. Always a committed leader and one of high integrity, he earned multiple community recognitions and the prestigious "LAPD Officer of the Year" award. He had law enforcement in his blood, following in the footsteps of his own father, who was a police officer in Ireland known as a Garda-- Siochána nah Éireann "Guard of The Peace of Ireland." Charlie and Katie recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and during these wonderful years were proud to be blessed with five sons, including eldest Brendan, Kevin, Sean, Michael and Stephen, and four cherished daughters-in-law-- Ellen, Delia, Nicole, and Jennifer. Nonetheless, it remains indisputable that Charlie and Katie's twelve amazing grandchildren were the central pride and joy of Charlie's world, and his love remains forever with Griffin, Cameron, Megan, Kaitlyn, Justin, Brittney, Kristin, Karlie, Breanne, Lauren, Nathan & Braden. Even in his retirement, our indomitable Charlie never slowed down, starting his own security company Cardinal Security Services, working alongside Brendan and Ellen to launch their computer services business Turner Techtronics, Inc., and helping all his sons find and purchase their first homes. Charlie was and will forever be a shining example of what a true man is: a man of unwavering faith, steadfast commitment to family, loyalty to friends, and helper to all…. May he rejoice in the loving arms of our Lord and watch over us all! * In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Columban Fathers – Missionary Society of St. Columban (http://columban.org/). Thank You