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Christopher Turman Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Turman
Gerald M Hampton
May 17, 2022
I remember Chris from our time at Virginia Tech back in the 1980´s. He made quite an impression and had great talent. I have thought of him over the years, wondering how´s his life turned out. Never would´ve I have thought that he would have passed so young. Rest In Peace, Chris.
Sharon Nanz
January 10, 2008
A tough time for the family...I was so sorry to hear of Jane's passing. I surely hope and pray that 2008 brings some happier times later on. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Randy Devins
January 9, 2008
Kimmie... so very sorry to learn of Jane's passing. Pat and Bill and I were just talking about you guys. Please email or call if you need anything. Pat will be in touch as well.
Carol McFarlane Davidson
January 4, 2008
I have very fond memories of the Turman family... many swim meets, beach trips, and Kimie and I keeping an eye on Chris on Saturday mornings when we were very young- and that was a challenge! Chris could out-run us and of course out-swim us! My sympathy goes out to Chris' family and his family of friends. He will be remembered with love.
Thomas Wolfe
November 2, 2007
Please accept my condolences on your loss. I swam many miles(and 400IMs) with Chris at UT and always appreciated his enthusiasm, high spirits and all around joviality. My prayers go out to Chris, his family and his friends.
Michael Masters
October 29, 2007
Mrs. Turman, so sorry to hear of your loss. I attended UTK with Chris and always enjoyed his bright personality and laid back intensity. He and your family are in my prayers.
Peggy Morris Coulson
October 22, 2007
Jane & Kimi,
Heather, Chip and I are so sorry for your loss, it is a great loss to us too. I wish that we had known earlier so we could have attended the funeral, however, we share in your greif.
Jane, thank you for the phone call tonight, the stories I shared with you about Chris were fun to remember. There are many more that I'll share at a later date, when we can sit and laugh and cry together. What great times we all had.
Chris was a magic light in our lives, and made the "swim mother" in me thankful for the opportunity to love him.
Sallie Foster
October 22, 2007
To Mrs. Jane Turman and Kimie & Family: My love and prayers go out to all of you at this time. I am so sorry for your loss. May God guide and guard all of you. Much Love.
Kristie (Harrison) Huber
October 21, 2007
I knew Chris as a classmate, a neighbor a friend and, yes, we took Advanced Life Saving together at the Y and I have never laughed so hard! We also shopped on Christmas Eve for last-minute gifts for our families. I also lost my cat at his house and my family never let me live it down because I was picking him up to carpool to ALS class when I dicovered the cat was in the car and thought, well, we just live on Cresthill and the cat will find its way home, just a few blocks away. (She never did- oops!) Chris had the best laugh and smile of anyone I knew and he was always a blast to be around. I'll remember him fondly forever. I'm deeply sorry to all of his family and friends for all of our loss.
Sara Gubala
October 20, 2007
I am sorry to hear about your loss. My fondest memories of swimming in the RVAA were getting to know Chris and admiring his talent and his huge smile. He was such an amazing swimmer and he motivated me to be a better person and a better swim coach. Chris inspired me to have a life long love of swimming. My deepest sympathies to your entire family.
Jill Elswick
October 20, 2007
Most of my memories of Chris have to do with an old blue Maverick he drove (when it wasn't stalled out) in high school. Saturdays we'd go to Happy's Flea Market and just look at stuff. I bought a little vial of perfume oil that smelled like "Opium" on one of these trips. It must have been 1984. To this day, every time I smell Opium I recall this memory, and it makes me feel young. Once Chris picked me up in The Mav for a joyride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The song "Safety Dance" came on the radio and we sang: "We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind..." It was a sunny day in spring, and it remains one of my favorite memories. Chris, you are unforgettable. May your family find comfort.
Dorothy Smith
October 19, 2007
Dear Mrs. Sewell and Kimi,
I was sadden to find out about the passing of Chris. I fondly remember the time we shared as teammates with Coach Devins. Our trips to Quantico in the summer and East Tennessee State in the Winter, and the raising of the bubble. My thoughts and prayers are with you as your grieve your loss.
Bridget
October 19, 2007
I was so saddened to hear that Chris passed away. I did not receive the news until the day of his funeral. I worked with Chris at Applebee's about 5 years ago. He was my strong shoulder to cry on when my brother in law passed away, leaving behind my 7 week old nephew. I had lost touch with Chris, but have thought about him many times over the years. I will forever be grateful to him as he helped me through such a trying time. When I last saw him, I gave him the Dr. Suess book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!". It is still one of my favorite books! Oh, Chris, the places and things you get to see now! Again I thank you for being there for me when I needed you most. You will always be an angel to me.
Brady
October 19, 2007
Jane,
I was shocked and saddened to recieve this news. I have so many fond and fantastic memories of "Topher". I am sorry for this loss, I know how much you meant to each other. You have my condelences.
Sue (Harwood) Snyder
October 18, 2007
Mrs. Turman and Kimi,
I have not seen Chris since high school, but that smile of his will live in my heart forever. I am so sorry for your loss.
Courtney Friedlein (Cochran)
October 18, 2007
My sisters and I have been sharing all our wonderful, wonderful memories of Chris - he was such a large part of our youth swimming days and we remember him fondly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Turman family for this tragic loss.
- Courtney, Allyson and Megan Cochran
Chynia Johnson
October 18, 2007
Dearest family members of Chris...I was so sadden to hear the news of Chris' death. I've known Chris for some time and became his friend while living in Roanoke. Although I have relocted to Texas, Chris and I maintained a friendship via phone calls. I am sending you all my deepest sympathies and regrets. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Kerri (Blackwell) Montgomery
October 17, 2007
When I think back of all the years swimming in the RVAA, some of my fondest memories are those of Chris. He was not only an incredible swimmer and coach, but a person with an intense spirit. My mother Sue Blackwell always said Chris was one of the greatest coaches and teachers that she ever worked with. The world will be a little darker without his spirit shining through. God bless you all
Kenneth Clarkson
October 17, 2007
Dear Jane,
I think I was 5 when I first met Chris, and spent much of the next 13 years chasing his feet and bubbles in many many pools. I remember well his friendship over those years and how much of a motivating spirit he was to me and so many others, and what a lasting effect that has had on my life. I will miss him. and send my best.
Sylvia Clarkson
October 17, 2007
Jane and Kimie
Not even a seasoned writer can hand pick words and embroider them into a condolence that can take away the hurt you're feeling at the loss of your Chris
Some people say it gets easier with time, but I have found that only embrasing memories dilutes the sorrow and makes it more bearable.
The recent memories I have are of the caring, helpful Chris calling with information to help a senior save on health insurance, or to select the best Medicare program. The more vivid memories are of the younger Chris, the swimmer and coach who left lasting impressions on many young swimmers in the valley, who,I am sure, passed this love of the sport to thier children. He was loved by many, and his influence lives on.
His dad gave so much to help Chris and the other swimmers of this valley. May they both rest in peace.
Peace be with you, Jane
Sylvia Clarkson
Gaston Williams
October 17, 2007
Mrs. Turman and Kimie: I am thinking about you very much and saddened to hear about Chris. We will all miss that smile and laugh. Somewhere on the other side he is sliding through the water doing laps and butterflys!
Chris Sewell
October 17, 2007
Dear Jane,
I was very sad to hear about Chris -I know you loved him very much. Chris was a wonderful talent who had an intensity that encouraged all of us to do our best. He was a true team leader with an abundance of energy. I specifically remember one time when I was swimming a long distance event at a big meet. Chris was pacing up and down at the edge of the pool screaming his head off encouraging me to keep pace. Chris was spending his energy to help me swim faster when he knew he was in the next heat. I don’t think it ever occurred to him, he never got tired. Thinking that we had over 3000 swim practices and 200+ swim meets in our 10 years together as teammates, I know I would never have attained the level that I did without him pushing me every day. God Bless him.
Brooke (Adams) Mercedes
October 17, 2007
Mrs. Turman and Kimi-
Chris will always be in all of our hearts!! Your family is my thoughts and prayers. I smile ear to ear when i think about Chris and all the fun "swimming times" we had. I think he made it fun for us all! He made a difference to all he came in contact with!
Todd Chamelin
October 17, 2007
Mrs. Turman and Kimi,
You probably don't remember me but I was Chris' roommate at IRCC back in 1987-88. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I will always remember non stop laughter and good times when I think of Chris. God bless your family during this time of sorrow and though we lost touch many years ago, he will not be forgotten...ever. When appropriate, I would love to touch base with you to find out about Chris' life over the past 20 years.
Elizabeth Fortune
October 17, 2007
Dear Kimie,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your brother.
Denise (Delpierre) Coleman
October 17, 2007
My thoughts and prayers go out to Chris's family. May you find comfort with friends and family. Chris will be truely missed.
Jack Bayne
October 17, 2007
Jane, Kimi and Family our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family.
We still have fond memories when we visited you and your family in Richmond before you moved to Roanoke.
Jack and Jere Bayne
June 20 1992
October 16, 2007
Dan Summerlin
October 16, 2007
Mrs Turman,
You and Kimi are in my thoughts and prayers. Chris opened the doors and the eyes of a generation of swimmers that followed him in the Roanoke Valley. Some of my fondest memories of swimming were from the years when he gave me a ride to and from practice every day.
Ann Gardner
October 15, 2007
I remember those cold early morning practices during which we dove for golf balls among many other antics that aggravated the coaches. I remember traveling to meets in the back of the old station wagon inventing songs to pass the time. Kingsport, Johnson City, Charleston, Huntington, Quantico, Hickory and others. I remember a little mischief and a lot of talent. I remember one of the best swimmers to ever hail from the Roanoke Valley. This is the way I remember Chris.
God Bless You Termite!
Brian Oetgen
October 15, 2007
Mrs. Turman - I was so sorry to hear about Chris, and I have been thinking about you and Kimi a lot over the past few days. Many of my best memories of home, swimming, and summertime are tied to Chris and the things we did together. I remember being at a meet in Charlottesville at the UVA pool. Chris scratched from the finals heat of an event he was probably seeded first in, so I could swim in the 16th spot of the consolation heat. That's the kind of guy he was, and how I like to remember him.
Sharon Nanz
October 15, 2007
Jane and Family:
I was so sorry to hear of Chris' death. I have fond memories of him dating back to 1979 and my early days in the Roanoke Valley swimming family. I always loved Chris' smile and laugh. He will be missed. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Neely Conner
October 15, 2007
Chris was a talented swimmer, coach, and a good friend. I haven't seen him for several years, but feel the absence of his presence on this earth. I will hold many memories of him in my heart. My thoughts and hopes are with his family.
Karin Morra Magno
October 15, 2007
To Jane and Kimie,
I'll always remember Chris as the cutest little boy at Sugerloaf. His flawless dives off the board at age 8, his spontaneous giggling, and his talent in the water made us all better swimmers during those days. God Bless,
Lindsay Hock
October 14, 2007
Chris was an coach of mine at the Gators in Roanoke. I will never forget his caring demeanor or his bright and shining smile. I can credit Chris with much of my early swimming success and instilling in me a great work ethic and a love for the sport. I know Chris is in a better place now. My family extends their thoughts and prayers to Chris' family. May he rest in peace.
Randy Devins
October 14, 2007
Knowing Chris many years ago as a talented young swimmer... who would work til exhausted... and still crack a smile... I send my thoughts and prayers to his family.
Pat Bateman
October 12, 2007
One of the true pioneers of this valley in the world of competitive swimming.....God Bless you Chris.
BETTY YOUNG
October 12, 2007
Jane, my thoughts and prayers are with you. He was so influencial with so many young kids in swimming...PEACE BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, BETTY YOUNG
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