Harold was a man of his word that had tremendous love for God and his family. No one took better care of his family and friends than Harold. His generous spirit has strengthened many along his journey in his roles as mentor, friend and philanthropist. He had tremendous strength spiritually, intellectually and physically. His loyalty and capacity to love unconditionally was extraordinary. And, he gave the best hugs ever!
Harold was born May 31, 1939 in El Paso, Texas to Harold Emerson Turley and Ireta Pierce Turley. He attended El Paso High where he played both varsity basketball and tennis. He went on to play collegiate tennis on a four-year full ride scholarship at Brigham Young University. He also played four years of varsity volleyball and went on to graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration. During this time period he served a mission in Australia. He had the unique opportunity to spread the gospel through his participation on the Mormon Yankees basketball team. He went on to earn an MBA in Finance and Economics at Indiana University and later a doctorate degree from Stonier Graduate School at Rutgers University where he wrote and published a book. Harold spent his early professional life in banking, but his entrepreneurial spirit reigned during the last thirty years. He was the founder and owner of multiple different companies.
Marriage to Elaine Eckersley Turley ‚ in his own words was the "greatest gift God can give me!!" They met at BYU and had a great romance that lasted their entire lives and inspired those around them. They married on May 29, 1962 in the Arizona Temple and celebrated fifty-three years devoted to each other, their children and grandchildren.
Harold had a passion for fun and he always created opportunities for his family to play together and make memories that would build and sustain them. He spent his life playing competitive tennis. But, he also loved playing tennis with his family and taking amazing vacations that symbolized the value he placed on family bonds. Most recently he was surrounded by all of his posterity in Turks and Caicos to celebrate he and Elaine's 50th Anniversary.
Service to God and his community were very important to Harold. He spent many years in a variety of callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including multiple Stake Presidencies, Utah Area Sports Director, and as a Bishop, but his favorite callings all surrounded his work with young adults in the church. Additionally, he devoted his time to many organizations including the BYU Athletics Leadership Council (men's tennis), the Bonneville Exchange Club, and Mentor's International.
Harold is survived by his wife, Elaine Eckersley Turley; his five children and their spouses: Kathryn Turley Sonne (Christian), Kalei Elaine Turley, Harold (Trey) Emerson Turley III (Kate), Susan Turley Steiner (Marlon), and Derek Jay Turley (Holly); and his siblings: Brentnall Pierce Turley (Carol), Luana Turley Rogers (Dan), Douglas Turley (Victoria) and Lanae Turley Trejo (Cachi); and eighteen grandchildren: Elizabeth, Benjamin, Makena, Kasdyn, Luke, Dru (Harold IV), Jayden, Claire, Derek, Sidney, Rhett, Davis, Ace, Cole, Alexa, Jake, Dylan, and Elizabeth.
Our amazing husband, father and grandfather passed away Friday, May 30, 2014 due to leukemia. Heartfelt thanks go out to the medical staff at the LDS Hospital leukemia wing.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Willow Creek Stake Center, 2350 Creek Road, Sandy, Utah 84093. Friends may call 6:00 ‚ 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 6, 2014 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah, 84092.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BYU Men's Tennis "In Memory of Harold Turley" Brigham Young University, Attn: Jannalee Davis, 336 SAB, Provo, Utah 84602 or donations may be sent to The Perpetual Education Fund "In Memory of Harold E. Turley", LDS Philanthropies, 1450 N. University Avenue, Provo, UT 84604.
