Donald Gordon Turner

Thursday, September 9, 1965 - Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Donald Gordon Turner, 59, of Dothan, AL, passed away on October 8, 2024. He was a devoted husband to Terri Turner and a loving father to Wesley Turner.  Visitation will be held at Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb, AL on October 12 at 10 am with the funeral service to follow at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s, a cause close to Don’s heart.

Don grew up as an Army brat until his parents reestablished their roots in Hartford, AL. Being a die-hard Auburn fan, he attended college at Auburn University to pursue a degree in Engineering. Homesickness brought him back to Hartford where he married his first love, Deanna, and they had their son, Wes.  Both went on to remarry, and Don met his current wife, Terri, in 2009. Don was known by many as the life of the party, the jukebox hero. He loved music and had a knack for always playing the right song at the right time. One couldn’t spend time with Don without laughing and cutting up. There was always room in his heart for his family and friends, and he loved spending time with them. Don loved his family and friends big and strong. When he met Terri fifteen years ago, both were resistant to commitment. He loved to joke that he had her from “hell no,” but their love bloomed quickly. He supported her crazy ideas and grounded her in ways no one else could. He showed her sides of him he didn’t show others and made her laugh like no other. They adopted their fur baby, Diesel, and their lives felt whole. Don loved Terri and Diesel bigger and stronger. Wes was Don’s pride and joy, and Don would always be the first to brag on Wes. Don’s face would light up when he’d tell stories about him and the times they spent together.  When Wes made him a granddaddy, he wept tears of joy for this was the greatest gift of his life. He always wanted to be a grandad, and Don’s heart was so incredibly full. He loved Wes and his grandkids biggest and strongest. Don had another son, Tyler Patrick, and when Ty was quite young, Don made the difficult decision to sign papers that allowed Ty’s mom’s husband to adopt Ty. Although Don was not active in Ty’s life, he watched over him from afar, and he always held Ty in his heart. Don wrote this before he had known he would be granddaddy, “I hope and pray my grandchildren have a safe world they can live in. I hope they love their parents and good music. I pray I can tell stories one day to my grands of their great and great-great grandads. I have a giant heart, and I miss my family I’ve lost, but I love the ones I have now. Know I love you all and pray for you, whether I am here or not. God bless my family and friends.”

He is preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Don Turner. He is survived by his wife Terri Turner, his son Wesley (Stella)Turner, grandchildren Lola, AJ, and Harlan, his son Tyler Patrick, and his dog, Diesel, as well as many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly.