May 18, 1940 – November 25, 2025

David "Dave" Mark Turner, age 85, of Kennewick, WA passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025 following complications from a recent accident.

The oldest of three boys, Dave was born on May 18, 1940 to Lawrence and Dorothy Turner in Newark, NJ. He lived in NJ until his teenage years, when his family moved to Houston, TX. He participated in football, track, baseball, and a dance club, and graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1958.

Dave then attended Rice University on a full scholarship, where he earned both a B.A. in General Studies and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1963. While pursuing a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Arizona, he met his future wife, Julianne Lak (Julie). After their marriage in 1970, they moved to Windsor Locks and then East Granby, CT, where Dave worked for Combustion Engineering.

In 1978, they moved to Kennewick, WA, where Dave remained in the same home for the remainder of his life. Dave was employed as a nuclear engineer for Westinghouse Hanford, Exxon, Advanced Nuclear Fuels, Siemen's, and Framatome until 2003. He then transitioned in 2004 to a second career as an educator for the Kennewick School District. He took immense pride in supporting youth working to obtain their GEDs at Legacy High School (part of the Juvenile Justice Center). He retired in 2021 at the age of 81.

Dave had a lifelong love of athletics, participating in multiple sports as a child and adult. He coached his children's soccer and basketball teams, was the town soccer league and referee coordinator for several years, and was an active soccer referee for 25 years. He also was a stamp and coin collector, gardener, and made a variety of homemade jams from fruit harvested from his trees. Dave frequented sporting events, local plays, and musical performances. He was further known for his vast trivia knowledge, love of spicy food, and his "dad jokes." In his later years, Dave enjoyed completing a daily crossword and a sudoku puzzle, travelling, visiting his family, playing bridge, and spending time with friends at the Senior Center.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 49 years, Julie (2019); and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his children, Diana Turner-Eadie (Bill) of Cheshire, CT, Andrew Turner (Natalie) of Murray, UT, and Christina Turner (Jamie Kravontka) of Wethersfield, CT; his brother, Roger of Kennewick; five grandchildren, Liam and Clara, Donovan and Everett, and Audrey; and his beloved 20-year-old cat, Sam.

Visitation will be held at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home in Kennewick on Friday, January 9, from 3 to 5 pm. Funeral services will also be held at Mueller's on Saturday, January 10, at 10 am., followed by a celebration of life in downtown Kennewick.