Darrel Henry Turner

Darrel Henry Turner was born October 29, 1949 in Vermilion, Alberta and passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 10:42 a.m. in the Wainwright, Alberta, Health Centre with family and co-workers at his side. Darrel grew up on the family farm south of Vermilion. Darrel attended Woodvale School, walking distance from the family farm, until grade 9, before going to J.R. Robson School in Vermilion.

Darrel worked on the family farm and briefly in Fort McMurray after high school. Darrel committed his life to God at Greenshields convention in 1961 and began participating in fellowship on Sunday mornings at the home of Hugh and Ruby Pearman. He offered to give his life in service to the ministry at Greenshields convention preparations in 1970 and entered the ministry in 1971. Tom Young was his first co-worker. Darrel had an exceptional connection with children and young people throughout his ministry and served with a song in his heart that was often expressed from his lips.

Darrel served with his co-workers in Alberta, Northern BC, the Yukon and Manitoba, before getting the call to labour in Vietnam. On January 20, 1995, Darrel and his co-worker Simon Cheung flew from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, beginning 23 years of service in God’s work there including 2 years in Laos. Darrel loved Vietnam, where he was known as Anh Đại, from the bustling cities to the solitude of the countryside. He was enthusiastic in his love for Vietnamese food and diligent in his daily walk. Above all he clearly demonstrated his compassion for the souls he laboured for and will be most remembered for his unwavering faith as he walked with God. 

Darrel will be lovingly remembered by his siblings: brother Dennis (Dianne) Turner of Edmonton, Alberta; his twin sister Carol (Ken) Booth of Medicine Hat, Alberta; brother Wilbur of Kelowna, BC; brother Willis (Bonnie) Turner of Abbotsford, BC; sister-in-law Colleen Turner of Leduc, Alberta; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and the co-workers he laboured with. Darrel was predeceased by his father Charles (Harry); brother Erling Turner; stepfather Robert (Bob) Sharp; mother Edna Sharp; brother Calvin Turner.

The memorial service for Darrel Turner, hosted by Virtual Memorial Gatherings, is being held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at the Vermilion Regional Centre at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be taking place on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens,16102 Fort Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta at 11:00 a.m. Live streaming of both the service and interment will be available at: https://virtualmemorialgatherings.com/memorial-services/darrel-turner/

The family would like to gratefully acknowledge Darrel’s co-workers who tenderly cared for him during his declining health, those who cared for him at home and the staff at the Vermilion and Wainwright Health Centres. The many visits by Darrel’s co-workers, friends and family with gifts of food, flowers and love were greatly appreciated.

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