Kevin Ross Turner
It is with great sadness that the family of Kevin Ross Turner announces his sudden passing on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at the age of 66.
Kevin was born in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, October 3, 1951 to Maye Dale Kone Turner and Roscoe William Turner. He was one of four siblings: Shannon Maye (deceased), Cherryle Dawn (d-David Evertsen), and Tristyn Sue (Bruce Bowman). As a child, Kevin was extremely bright and inquisitive. He admired both of his parents' ambition when it came to raising and providing for their family. Into young adulthood, Kevin mirrored this hard-working attitude as he set out to find his own passion and purpose in life. In 1974, Kevin graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in communication and journalism, where his talents as a writer and editor flourished. Following graduation, he worked at the Salt Lake Tribune then transitioning to TV news media with ABC 4 and KSL 5 News. He spent the bulk of his career working as a news producer for the CBS News affiliate in Salt Lake City, before returning to KSL to finish out his nearly five-decade-long career. While with CBS News, he was fortunate enough to travel on assignment to three Olympic Games: Lillehammer 1994, Nagano 1998, and Sydney 2000. He also covered the Yellowstone fires of 1988, Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, among other breaking news assignments. Kevin took great pride in his journalistic integrity and the relationships he formed throughout his career.
Although Kevin cherished the many unique and exciting experiences he amassed in his professional life, the thing he held closest to his heart was his family. In the summer of 1977, Kevin met the love of his life, Sandy Yoshimura. She was poking around the broken engine of her MG Midget outside of the apartment complex they both lived in at the time. Kevin seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation and offer some assistance, despite knowing very little about cars. Sandy and Kevin were married on August 18, 1979 and spent nearly ten wonderful years exploring life together as a couple before deciding to grow their family. On Christmas Day of 1988, their daughter, Reiko, was born, and from that moment to the end of his life, Kevin provided a boundless and unconditional love that can never be replaced. Both Sandy and Reiko are able to reflect fondly on the experiences they shared with Kevin - from lounging on the warm beaches in Hawaii to the quieter moments spent cooking dinner together at home.
Kevin's closest friends knew him as the guy who stole all their money in poker or shared a beer and a laugh after a good game of golf. He was also an avid U of U football fan, found joy in spoiling the family dogs, Sofie and Roux, and had an amazing ability and imagination to create anything from scratch. He was a quiet and levelheaded person yet loved to pull a prank in the spirit of good fun. All in all, those who knew him will remember his gentle, considerate nature and his brilliant mind.
Kevin is preceded in death by his parents and sister Shannon. He is remembered by his wife, Sandy; daughter, Reiko, and her wife Alison; sisters Cherry and Tris; mother-in-law, Sadie, and loving extended family; and a host of life-long friends.
A celebration of life will be held in Kevin's honor on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East in Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building.