Merle Dean Turley of Basin City, WA died April 9th at Guardian Angel Homes in Richland, WA at the age of 81. He was born at home on June 18, 1934 to Robert and Euna Mae (Shive) Turley on a farm near Altus, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of two boys. Merle graduated from Friendship High School in 1952. He pursued a degree in agriculture at Cameron University, now Oklahoma State University. He was always proud of the fact that he was an OSU alum! In August of 1958, he married Louise Fletcher of Sayre, OK. During the early years of marriage, Merle delivered milk for Townley Dairy in Oklahoma City. In 1959, daughter Jana was born. By the time daughter Jill arrived in '62, the young Turley family was living in Rock Springs, WY where Merle put his degree to use working for the Bureau of Reclamation. Merle's job kept the family on the move. The arrival of son Jeff in '66 found the Turleys in St. George, Utah. In 1979 the family was living in Boulder City, Nevada. Merle's dear wife Louise passed away from cancer. This was a difficult time. Merle's strength and faith guided the family forward. In 1981, Merle married Louise's widowed sister, Dorothy Fletcher Carnes of Basin City. This union created what Merle called the "Turley-Carnes Bunch". Merle became the patriarch of this growing "bunch". One of the kids noted that "Merle treated Dorothy like a queen and she waited on him hand and foot". At the age of 51, Merle retired from the Bureau of Reclamation. He and Dorothy hit the road. They traveled with friends to many parts of the world. Merle purchased a motor home and they kept it moving, south when the weather got cold and back to Washington when it got too hot in Boulder City. Merle was a church deacon for many years. He was always willing to help others in need. He would patiently sit in a hospital room to provide comfort to those who needed it. Merle enjoyed his life of service, particularly the many years he spent on the Board of Directors of the Boulder Dam Credit Union. Merle was happiest when surrounded by family, drinking iced tea in the shade with a grandkid or two in his lap. The grandkids delighted in him singing to them on their birthdays, not the traditional "Happy Birthday", but "Go Tell Aunt Rhody". He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Dorothy, Their children Jana Turley Williams (Gary), Jill Turley Miller (Ted), and Jeff Turley (Traci), Rod and Robie Carnes, Linda Carnes, Ellen Carnes Wilson (Jay), Ed and Jodie Carnes. Grandchildren: Kyle, Jessica, Ethan, and Clint Miller, Spenser Turley, Beau, Curtis, and Eric Carnes, Haylee and Maichen Carnes, Jesse and Sarah Wilson and many great grandchildren. Interment will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:00am at the Boulder City Municipal Cemetery, Boulder City, Nevada.