Brian Turner

1954 - 2025

Freddy the Freeloader, Brain, PopPop, Brian Steven Turner passed away on September 2, 2025 after a series of illnesses. Brian was born and raised in Chico, California the youngest child of Helen V. Timmel and Harold R. Turner. He was predeceased by his brother, Bob, and sister, Judith.

Brian went to Sequoia, Bidwell Junior, and Pleasant Valley class of '72. He spent his summers playing baseball at Hooker Oak and riding bikes and swimming in Bidwell Park. He went on to Chico State where he graduated with honors in Business Administration.

Brian worked a variety of jobs over his lifetime from mowing lawns, loading chickens into trucks, working on rice farms, KFC, and playing guitar in rock bands. His favorite job was working at Bob Sharp's cabinet shop. Brian always said he wanted a job that paid well so he could quit and open his own woodworking business. We want to recognize the Chico crew Gordon & Mary, Dan, Hank and extended friends who were always there when Brian needed them the most, even at the end.

Brian passed the LSAT in 1978 and attended Cal West Law School in San Diego. After his first year, he transferred to McGeorge Law School in Sacramento; this allowed him to work during the day and attend law school at night. He had a great study group! We want to remember the Sunday Football brunch group Brad, Don, Moe and Billy for teaching Brian golf and sharing all the trials.

Brian had a long career practicing law. He clerked for Bullon, McKone, McKinley, Gay & Keitges, practiced at Cole, Cross and Culbreath, and was a partner at Rust, Armenis & Schwartz. He ended his legal career with the California Department of Justice where he was the darling of the Nursing Board.

Brian's favorite places and things to do were leaning on the fences at diamond one at Dooley Field, watching swim meets with the OPTPs [Old Park Terrace Parents], golfing with friends/family, anything to do with bar-b-q, watching the SF Giants [Willie Mays was his guy] and the 49ers [Montana to Clark], living the HP neighborhood life, making pancakes with his granddaughters, and "working" in the garage.

Brian's greatest pride and joy was his family. He leaves behind his son, Lee [Devon], and daughter, Rachel [Chad]; his three magical granddaughters Taylor and Tinslee Turner and the newest, Amelia Olson; and his wife, Patty.

The day that Brian passed there was a thunder storm that rolled through Sacramento. I think it was his friend, Mike, saying come on we have a tee time and there are golf carts to roll.