Mark Eugene Turner passed away peacefully at home on July 30, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 68 years old.

Mark was born in Germany on October 30, 1957 to Eugene Ross and Janie Gaylene Turner. A member of a loyal military family who moved frequently, Mark spent his early years living in various U.S. locations before eventually making Denver, CO home. Those experiences may have helped shape a curiosity that stayed with him throughout his life. Mark was always thinking, wondering, learning, and coming up with novel ideas. He kept notebooks filled with them and loved conversations about everything from space and the solar system to meditation, sports, music, politics, and the world around him.

Mark is survived by his incredible mother, Janie Gaylene Turner; his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Susan Turner; his sister, Debbie Vela; and his children, Dianna Maree Graves (Steve), Lisa Michelle Weideman (Rion), Mark Thomas Turner (Aurelie), Andrea Christine Ayotte (Shawn), and Brian Ross Turner (Sara). He was also a proud grandfather to Matthew, Erin, Luka, Noah, Bria, Liam, Eve, Kylin, Camden, Trey, Maya, Denecia, and Michael.

Mark believed in showing up for the people he loved. For his children, that often meant coaching. He coached basketball and volleyball at St. Vincent de Paul Elementary and later volleyball at East High School. He spent countless hours in gyms, on sidelines, and driving his children to and from games. Later, he found great joy in watching his grandchildren at their concerts, performances, and sporting events. Being present mattered to him.

Mark was also a teacher in ways that had little to do with a classroom. He helped his children get their first library cards because he valued education. He taught them to drive, to work hard, to respect others, and to take pride in a job well done, whatever that job happened to be. He himself was a hard worker and avid learner, whether at the U.S. Postal Service where he worked for more than 40 years, or woodworking in the backyard where he crafted his kids’ bunkbeds and playhouse.

Some of the best memories of Mark are found in life's smaller moments: fishing at Lake Dillon, family camping trips, road trips to Kirksville, MO with early-morning breakfast stops, playing Scrabble, backyard martial arts, and conversations about space. There were trips to Dairy Queen and root beer floats. He loved steak and lobster but was just as happy with ring bologna, cheese, and Ritz crackers.

Music was part of the soundtrack of life with Mark, especially classic rock. He loved the Denver Broncos, sunsets, and a good family meal. He shared the historic moments of his children's lives with them, too, from watching the space shuttle take off to witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Mark had his own unmistakable way of communicating. His handwriting was generally in ALL CAPS, often accompanied by one of his signature smiling suns. He played Santa, remembered birthdays with a little money tucked inside, and offered encouragement whenever needed. He was generous in quiet ways, including showing up for friends in need and making a point of always tipping and offering thanks to service vendors who helped him along the way. He was unflaggingly patriotic and adored his parents. His family will remember his expressions—“Capiche?” and “Front and center”—and the things that were simply and unmistakably Mark

Mark’s life was not without struggle. Some years brought profound challenges. Throughout, Mark continued to show up for his children, his grandchildren, his work, and the people who counted on him. His ability to persevere and keep moving forward was an important part of who he was.

Above all, Mark took pride in his family. He was interested in the world and in the lives of the people he loved. He taught, coached, built, questioned, encouraged, and showed up. The many moments he shared with his family became, over time, the extraordinary collection of memories by which he will be remembered.