Our beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Thomas Albert Turner, of Henderson, passed away on June 11, 2012 at the age of 44 following an underground construction accident near Lake Mead. Tommy was born on August 8, 1967, in Lakehurst, New Jersey, the third child of four born to Linda Jean Delprete and Paul Augustus Turner, Jr.
Tommy and his family moved to Henderson in April 2009 so he could work alongside his brother Paul on the Lake Mead Intake No. Three project. He began his tunneling career in 1995, working in San Diego on the South Bay Ocean Outfall, then later in San Bernardino on the Inland Feeder Project. Tommy primarily worked at the tunnel heading as a shifter. He was known as a ‘working man’s boss’, always in the trenches with his men, shoulder to shoulder getting the job done.
Tommy had a loyal following of field personnel who loved one another like brothers and worked together, all for one and one for all.
As the foreman, Tommy always made sure his crews were out of harm’s way and there was not a single task he would ask of his men that he wouldn’t do himself. He guided, he nurtured and he encouraged his crews to be safe and be the best, always leading by example. His men held Tommy in the highest regard and cherished his unforgettable leadership.
For Tommy, the rewards of his career lay in the challenges of the work, the camaraderie of his crew and his unyielding dedication to the safety and welfare of his men. He honored these until the end.
Tommy’s family was the true center of his existence. His children were his life and his time away from work revolved around his immediate and extended family.
Tommy is survived by his wife, Michelle, and the two children he loved deeply, Eric Thomas (age 11) and Emily Christine (age eight). He will be profoundly missed by his mother, Linda Jean, and stepfather, Don Blackwell, of San Diego. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Turner and wife Nora, and their children Austin and Valerie; his sister, Vicky Fisher and her children Tammy and Jessica; and his brother Kevin.
Their loss cannot be measured. In loving honor of Tommy, a memorial service was held on Friday, June 15, 2012 in Henderson, Nevada. The family wishes to thank the Laborers Union Local 872 and the Local 12 Operating Engineers Union for their support.
