Dale Robert Turnbow was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 5, 1930, to Ray Owen Turnbow and Katherine Elizabeth Diamond Turnbow. Dale had three older brothers, Ray, Kenny, and Jimmy and one older sister, Audrey. His twin brother, Gale Richard, died January 29, 1931, at 10 months of scarlet fever. Dale grew up on Utopia Avenue and went to Madison Elementary through 9th grade, then graduated from Granite High School. Dale played football and softball in high school.
After graduating high school, Dale worked as a carpenter for three months until he enlisted in the Army on August 8, 1948. Dale enlisted with several of his friends because “it was the thing to do.” He and his friends did basic training at Fort Ord in Monterey Bay, California. After basic training, Dale was sent to Fort Lewis in Washington State, where he trained to be a soldier.
During his stay at Fort Lewis, he thought it wasn’t fair that there was an Officer’s Club, but no club for the enlisted men. So, he found a building and set up an enlisted men’s club, calling it Tanker’s Athletic Club. He ran that club during his 6 months at Fort Lewis. From Fort Lewis, he was sent to Korea. Dale was promoted to Master Sergeant and was a tank commander. He saw a lot of action on the front lines.
At the end of his 3-year enlistment, Dale decided to stay on one more year. He was discharged with honors at Camp Irwin (now Fort Irwin) in Barstow, California, on May 15, 1952.
About a year after coming home from the Army, he met the love of his life, Beverly Bain at the Legion Club. They danced and played Bingo. He asked her to marry him just two weeks after they met and were married on July 11, 1953. They were married 67 years before Bev’s passing on March 24, 2021, just 4 days before her 93rd birthday.
They purchased their life-long home soon after and on March 8, 1954, their daughter Robyn Louise was born. Two years later a son, Kip James, was born on March 6, 1956. Their third child, Wendy Sue, arrived on March 28, 1959. Bev’s birthday was also on March 28, making all five of the family with March birthdays. A few years after Wendy was born, the Salt Lake Tribune ran a picture and story about the Turnbow’s, all with March birthdays.
Dale’s profession was a roofing contractor, owning his own business for a while. He was a long-time member of the Lion’s Club and the 49er’s Club. He enjoyed dancing, making pancakes, fishing, and camping with his family. You could find Dale on a summer evening gathering the neighborhood kids and taking them for an overnight camping trip in Millcreek Canyon. His hobby was his yard, and he spent many summer evenings and weekends working to make it beautiful.
His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren were a huge part of Dale’s life. He especially loved having the great-grandchildren visit him in his last few years and looked forward to their weekly visits. He was always came up with a funny remark to make people laugh. He was a special part of all our lives, and we’ll miss you Dad and Grandpa Dale!
Dale was preceded in death by his loving wife: Beverly L. Turnbow. He is survived by his three children: Robyn (Floro) Saupan, Kip (Rose) Turnbow, and Wendy Turnbow (Michael Galpin); seven grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 11 am at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 S Memory Lane (2000 E.)