Mr. Charles R. Turner

September 30, 1957 - April 30, 2009

Charles Turner, 51, died Thursday, April 30, 2009, at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo after a courageous fight with leukemia. Charles was the loving husband of Liza Beautz Turner and the proud father of Isiah Turner age 12 and Caroline Turner age 7.

Charles is survived by his mother Mary Griffin and two brothers Elmer Griffin Jr. and Lavell Turner; four sisters Cheryl Banks, Diane Griffin, Cynthia Griffin and Linda Griffin all of Las Vegas, Nevada. He was the much-loved son in law of Eugene and Lynne Beautz of Binghamton and Ruth and Charlie Marcon of Allentown, PA. Charles was the brother in law of Sara Beautz, Alison and Carter Williams, Lara Marcon and JV Kodali, Jody Marcon and Elizabeth Marcon. He is also survived by many aunts and uncles who were really more like siblings in Las Vegas and Seattle. Charles was predeceased by his father, Loran Dexter and his beloved grandparents George and Eller Turner.

Charles was born in Delhi, Louisiana, and was raised by his grandparents on their family’s farm. He attended Wood Junior College in Matheson, Mississippi and Mississippi State University. Charles always worked in professions that involved helping people. He worked in a group home for developmentally disabled adults in Delhi, and coached Special Olympics. After moving to Las Vegas where he lived for over 20 years, Charles worked for the State of Nevada in the Department of Mental Health. Charles had a strong sense of fairness and treated everyone equally no matter who they were.

Charles’ sense of justice led him to be President of SEIU Local 1864 in Las Vegas and to later work for SEIU and AFSCME as an organizer. He worked for several years at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas as a skycap, which suited his friendly nature. While working there, Charles met many celebrities including B.B. King, Tom Jones, Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan.

In 2004, Charles moved his family to Liza’s hometown of Binghamton and it was there that Charles finally found his true home and his calling. He worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Solution Station at Johnson City Intermediate School. All of the students at Johnson City were his kids and he loved them. He always had a hug, smile and high 5 for everyone he met. Charles’ smile lit up a room and his laugh could be heard all around.

Charles coached Binghamton Travel basketball and YMCA basketball teams and helped coach Miller Auto’s Baseball Team. He was enthusiastic and passed on his love of both sports through his encouragement, stories and example. Charles was a great cook and a master of barbeque. He also had a great passion for music—particularly gospel and the blues.

Charles found his second family at the Broome County Dallas Cowboy Football Fan Club where he could be found every Sunday cheering for his Cowboys. His favorite place in his house was his “Cowboy Den” where he shared his love of the Cowboys with his children.

Charles was an incredibly loving person who made everyone feel good just by being around him. The only thing bigger than Charles’ smile and laugh was his heart. It is in that spirit that his family asks that everyone who knew him go out and do something good for someone else, treat everyone a little kinder and work to make our community an even better place.

His family is grateful to all of the staff at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the staff and residents of the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge and Kelly Coughlin for being Charles’ Buffalo family. They wish to thank Dr. Ronald Harris, Dr. R.A. Ramanujan, Dr. Phillip McCarthy and Dr. Shannon Smiley for taking such good care of Charles. Words cannot express our gratitude to Roswell’s Dr. Megan Pailler and to Charles’ bone marrow donor. They extend special thanks to all of the administrators and staff of the Johnson City School District, West Middle School and Horace Mann Elementary School in Binghamton.

Funeral Information

A celebration of Charles’ life will be held Friday 4pm at the First Congregational Church, Corner of Front and Main Streets in Binghamton with the Rev. Dr. Arthur Suggs officiating.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund is being set up for Isiah and Caroline in memory of Charles. Donations can be made to "Benefit of Isiah and Caroline Turner" c/o Sue Linfoot and Sherri Brenno at 420 Virginia Ave., Vestal, NY 13850