I’d like to thank each of you who came here today to celebrate Jeff and support the Turners. The family is truly grateful for everything. We don’t know yet when or how Jeff left this world and we did not have the option for a visitation, so most of us feel like we didn’t adequately get to say any parting words to Jeff, so a portion of this will be addressed to him, directly. I’m Isabell, and I joined the Turner family when I married Jeff’s younger brother, Kevin. I couldn’t have joined a more loving family. Jeff was lucky to be a part of that family. Jeff had two brothers that loved him very much, and if anyone loved their son, it was Dave and LaVon. In fact, at times I wondered if they loved him a little too much. Nobody took care of their 45 year-old son better than they did. They nursed him when he was sick or recovering from surgery, escorted him around town and out of town, had countless phone conversations with him, and loved him unconditionally. Jeff, your parents will always love you.
Jeff loved back, too. Jeff had these small ways of showing everyone how much he cared. He might not have had much, but he was constantly giving. He’d always show up at your house with a little something-maybe a gallon of milk, a coke for his mom, or Ho Hos for the kids. When I gave birth to my first son, Hayden, I received my favorite gift in the hospital from Jeff. Jeff brought me Chuy’s, and it never tasted better. He was always asking to take my family to get BBQ from The Salt Lick, too. Jeff, feel free to continue blessing my family with BBQ and Mexican food.
Now, many of you here today probably haven’t seen Jeff in a while and are wondering what he looks like now. If you were to ask Jeff, he’d tell you he is the spitting image of his gorgeous little brother, Kevin, with the only difference being that Jeff had more hair. Most others would disagree with Jeff and say he actually looks more like his older brother, Kent. I am here to tell you that they are both wrong. Jeff, you are the spitting image of this picture of the actor, Steve Buscemi.
One of my first memories of Jeff from when I met him about ten years ago was that he really loved music. He would get so excited as he talked about his favorite musicians and songs. He would even sing for me-if you could call it that. It was more of him playing on his imaginary instruments and making these weird noises. I’d have to try my hardest not to laugh at him, it was so silly and like nothing I’d ever seen or heard. Jeff, I’m sure you are jamming to your favorite tunes, right now, feel free to play or sing one for me.
Jeff loved talking on the phone. He was always getting the latest and greatest phone and would make the rounds of calling his family to speak with them. One of my favorite memories of Jeff’s is of the time he called to speak with my son, Hayden. Hayden was probably three years old and when Jeff called to speak with him, Hayden took the phone and went in the other room to talk. After quite a while, Hayden came back, handed me the phone, and told me he got to talk to Jeff’s kitty cat. I didn’t know Jeff had a cat. After getting back on the phone, I quickly realized that it was no kitty cat Hayden had been talking to, but Jeff had fallen asleep on the phone and was snoring. Jeff, feel free to call us on whatever the latest and greatest phone is up there in heaven.
One of the things Jeff loved to talk about either on the phone or in person was his ability to cook. In fact, I hear he taught his brother Kent everything he knows, which is the only reason Kent is the great cook he is today. Of course, Jeff is better. Jeff would go into great detail about how to prepare the most perfect steak. I know it involved a lot of butter and garlic. Now, I never got the chance to ever taste one of his steaks, but I did come close, once. One day, Jeff brought some big steaks over, and my hopes were up that he was going to cook them for us, so I could taste one of these legendary things, but Jeff ended up playing with my kids while Kevin cooked them. Jeff, you still owe me my steak.
Something I think Jeff only talked a lot with me about was girls. Jeff never married and had never introduced me to any of his lady friends, but I loved listening to him open up about them. He’d tell me about the different girls in his life and a little about their relationship to see what I thought. He’d ask my opinion on the photo he wanted to upload to Facebook to show them. He’d tell me about his ability to get the attention of ladies in clubs when he was younger. I’d ask him if he was ever going to get married, and he told me never. I suppose he just had too many girls to choose from. Jeff, please don’t break too many hearts up there in heaven.
Sometimes Jeff was like a broken record. He would repeat the same things or have the same conversations with you over and over. He’d often ask me if it was OK if he referred to me as his sister as opposed to sister-in-law. He only had two brothers and never had a sister and said he considered me his sister. He was excited to get another sister in Elissa, too, and he often talked about how happy he was for Kent that he had met her and how much he liked her. Just when I thought I’d convinced Jeff it was OK for him to refer to me as his sister, he’d bring it up again on our next phone call. Jeff, for the millionth time, it’s OK to tell everyone I’m your sister.
Our last holidays with Jeff were good ones. For his birthday, his wish was for everyone to go eat at The Salt Lick. I remember him just sitting there and quietly watching everyone enjoy themselves, almost like he knew. Of course, he wouldn’t let me take a picture of him, in typical Jeff fashion. For Christmas, he always tries his hardest to get the perfect gift for everyone-especially his beloved niece and nephews. He had my husband take him around to multiple stores to show him what my kids wanted so he could purchase the perfect gift. He got Legos for Hayden, a Hexbug set for Rowan, Best Buy gift cards for Von & Travor, and clothes for Nadia, because he knew that’s what I’d like. Rowan wants Jeff to know that he wears the Spiderman Pajamas he got him for his birthday. Kevin said that Jeff asked if I ever wore the James Avery jewelry that he’d bought me in the past. Jeff, I only wear it on special occasions, so I wore it today.
Speaking of holidays at the Turners, we experience a phenomenon that I have termed the “Leftover Fairy”. As far as I know, Jeff is the Leftover Fairy. The leftover fairy strikes sometime between when the leftovers hit the fridge and you go to get them next, but you don’t see it happen. The leftover fairy takes your favorite leftover, eats it completely, and leaves nothing but dirty dishes in its wake. I would eat my favorite dishes on the holidays until I was sick, because I knew there would be no leftovers the next day. Jeff, I’ll be sure and save you some of your favorites this year-please help yourself.
Jeff spent one of his final days at his parent’s house playing with my kids. He would often call his mom or dad, ask if the kids were over, and only visit if they were. Rowan says that Uncle Jeff introduced him to the Ho Hos. He would always bring over a box to share. I asked Rowan what he did with Uncle Jeff on that final day with him, since I wasn’t lucky enough to be there. Rowan says that they built a fort out of blankets and curtains and chairs. I asked Rowan what Uncle Jeff said. Rowan said Jeff would pull back the curtain and say Peek-A-Boo. Jeff, feel free to pull back the curtain anytime and tell us Peek-A-Boo.
Since we have discovered Jeff’s passing, the family has been blessed by Heavenly Father in many ways. I like to think Jeff is helping out a little, too, and I’ve been calling them Jeff moments. I’d like to share a few of them. Jeff’s dad discovered Jeff had passed away last Friday. His son Kent and his fiancé Elissa were already on their way into town from Louisiana and therefore able to hear the news in person. Kent’s sons weren’t with them, but they’ve let me know that they are glad they found out the news over the phone instead of seeing their father grieve when he heard the news. Louisiana is currently celebrating Mardi Gras, so Kent’s family is able to be here with us without even missing any school obligations. We were told that one of LaVon’s friends was inspired to put her name in at the temple on Thursday, not knowing why. We couldn’t have asked for a better spot for sale at the cemetery for Jeff, too. Now, there have been smaller examples of Jeff moments like my husband’s favorite shirt that had been missing showing up in the laundry, a cat that looked just like one Jeff had growing up visiting with us on a recent walk, my daughter deciding to finally sleep in her own bed, Hayden’s loose tooth falling out on dental hygiene day at school, Elissa accidentally putting Round Rock Stake House instead of Stake Center on the Program, receiving some of our favorite foods from visitors, and even having the “leftover fairy” strike, etc., but the best Jeff moment is that all of Jeff’s family was able to have genuine good moments with Jeff over the last few months. Jeff seemed to be doing so well, lately. He seemed so happy and was so pleasant to spend time with or talk to. He looked better. He acted better. We all hoped he was better. Jeff, please continue to bless us with more Jeff moments.
When I was in high school, a portion of the Special Olympics was held at our school. A lot of my friends and I volunteered on the day of the event. One of the most coveted volunteer positions is that of a “hugger”. Let me describe to you the job of a hugger. A hugger stands just on the other side of the finish line. During the race, they cheer on the athlete and give them encouraging words. They wait with arms wide open as the athlete nears the finish line, and once the athlete finishes the race, they give them a great big hug and tell them they did a good job. I know Jeff had many people volunteer to be a hugger as he finished his race. I know they were encouraging him along the way. I can picture many of them specifically as they took Jeff in their arms. I know Jeff will be the first to volunteer to be a hugger for many of us. Jeff, good job, my brother, good job.
I’m grateful for the knowledge that Jeff is in a better place. He is free from pain of any type. He is happy. He is enveloped in love by loved ones and His Heavenly Father. What a great place for him to be on Valentine’s Day, tomorrow. Jeff, Happy Valentine’s Day, we love you.
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