Danny L. Turner of Florence, AZ died peacefully on 1/18/23. He was the son of Wilbur (Red) D. and Dorothy B. (Hawkins) Turner.
His family moved to Tucson AZ when he was a child. He graduated from Tucson High School and the University of AZ with a bachelor’s in teaching. He relocated to Bowie AZ and the following year to Florence AZ to start his teaching and coaching career. Danny continued to be a longtime Florence community member for over 60 years.
He enjoyed all sports, but loved the game of baseball and his beloved Chicago Cubs. He was a card-carrying member of their Die Hard fan club. He also loved the AZ Diamondbacks. Mr. T or Coach, as he became known to his students and athletes, went on to coach the 1972 and 1973 FHS state champion baseball teams and the 1978 state champion softball team. He mentored many of his students as their coach and teacher. His horribly bad jokes eventually became known as a “Turner Joke”.
He is survived by his three children, Linda Turner, David Turner (Kim) and Kathy Turner, all of Florence. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Joshua Turner (Jessica) of Olympia, WA and Connor Turner of Florence and his great grandson Riley Turner of Olympia, WA. He is further survived by his two sisters, Melanie Turner Black, Nancy Kunzler and sister-in-law Kay Swinford all of Tucson. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack Swinford and two brother-in-laws Ron Kunzler and Jerry Black.
A celebration of life with be held Jan 28, 2023 at 10 am in the Florence High School Cafeteria. We ask all that attend to wear their Florence Gopher Crimson and White! Please NO BLACK! Parking will be a premium that morning, so Please park by the baseball fields off Van Haren Rd which is behind the Mormon Church.
A private burial will be held in Tucson on 1/30/23.