Roy Turnbull

Roy Turnbull passed away on June 27, 2007, with his family at his side.

A memorial will be planned for a later date.

He was born Nov. 24, 1932, Thanksgiving Day, at Sagle, Idaho.

He was the youngest of three children born to Oliver and Vera Holmes Turnbull. He attended grade school at Sagle and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1951.

On Dec. 28, 1951, he married the love of his life, Arlene Millard, on her 16th birthday.

They lived at Sagle where Roy drove school bus, until shortly after the birth of their first daughter in early 1953.They then moved to Squaw Valley at Priest Lake, where Arlene had been born and raised.

Roy went to work at Squaw Valley Lumber, then owned by Roy Burns.

Roy and Arlene raised four daughters and Roy spent the rest of his life in Squaw Valley. After a few years at the mill, Roy started logging on his own. Lawrence Rush was his partner for many years and one of his best friends. Eventually, he bought "Rush" out and went on his own.

As in all logging ventures, there were good times and tough times, but Roy loved the outdoors, the hard work, the long hours and the challenge of the loggers way of life.

As in all things, Arlene was his most devoted and best help.

In the early 1970s, Roy's nephew, Tim Bendick-son, came to work for him. Roy passed his love of the logging profession on to Tim, who was the son of his heart.

Roy loved to travel and he and Arlene spent many wonderful winters traveling and exploring our American Southwest.

They also traveled to the top of every mountain that they could get to on their snowmobiles, usually with their best friends, Weldon and Wynona Warren. The beauty of these mountains that he loved thrilled his soul.

Roy's other passion was baseball, which in time transferred over to softball. He was very active in the local men's, women's and co-ed leagues for more than 20 years.

He and Arlene have sponsored a local women's team, the Turnbull Truckers, for 26 years and Ahe coached the team for 23 years.

He was very proud of the fact that he and his wife, two daughters and various granddaughters, grandsons and some of their spouses all played on his team together at various times.

He also spent many enjoyable hours and days researching and compiling records of the Turnbull and Millard family histories.

Roy developed colon cancer early in 2005 and was deeply grateful and honored by the outpouring of love and support he received from his family and a host of wonderful friends.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Arlene, at the family home. Also, by his four daughters, Kathy Ehlers of Plains, Montana, Julie Turnbull of Bozeman, Montana, Leslie and Larry Naccarato of St. Maries, Idaho, and Elaine Turnbull and Bill Lacy of Priest Lake. He will be sorely missed by his 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth and Lee Hecker of Osburn, Idaho, his nephew, Tim and Susan Bendickson of Priest Lake, Idaho, and many other nieces and nephews and their families.

Roy was a wonderful person, good friend, loving husband, great father, and grandfather. We'll miss you.

Donations may be made in Roy's name to the Priest Lake Ambulance Service or Bonner Community Hospice.