Obituary of Richard John Turnbull

Richard (Dick) J. Turnbull was born July 25, 1944 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Dick passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022. After college Dick served in the US Army during Vietnam. He lived in Sapulpa, Oklahoma and was a retired teacher and coach from Sapulpa Public Schools. He later retired from guiding, which was his dream job. He probably wouldn’t ever call it a job because it truly was his passion and joy. Dick is survived by his children Holly Hamilton and husband Billy. Robert Turnbull and wife Bridgette. Kitt Letcher and husband Stuart. Stepson Ken Elmore and wife Carrie. He had 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Catherine Turnbull, brother Kenneth Turnbull and wife Elizabeth Turnbull. He was an avid outdoorsman whose passion was fly fishing and teaching people how to fly fish. He loved to travel, drink coffee, tell stories and read history. Like any good fisherman sometimes his stories were true and sometimes they were a little bigger than the truth. A good day was drinking coffee, talking to friends, and fishing. Dick had a great sense of humor and was always looking for ways to make others laugh. His jokes were often accompanied by props, to include rubber grasshopper, woopie cushions or a fake bloody leg that could be found in his ice chest. His friendships were core to his happiness and gave him purpose to get out of the house everyday even when he didn’t feel good. He always lived his life to the fullest, the way he wanted and without regret. His life motto was “Live Every Day” and he truly did.