Woodrow J Turley

Woodrow Joseph “Woody” Turley, 83, Twin Falls, passed away on March 17th, 2019 from an extended illness.

Dad was born to Iva Bridget (Dillon) and Woodrow Wilson Turley on July 26th, 1935 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Later that year the whole Dillon family moved to Idaho. Dad was the oldest of seven children. He grew up in Twin Falls in the South Park area. His father, Woodrow, owned Turley IGA and the Turley Lounge for several years. Dad had a typical and interesting childhood in the 1940’s. He and his kid brother, Gene, were very close. They had a lot of friends and were particularly mischievous in the neighborhood. The Rock Creek area was the Turley boys’ playground. Dad always had a soft heart for anyone that was born and raised in South Park. He always felt they were family.

When Dad turned 12 he started his boxing career under the tutelage of Bill Moran. Bill Moran became a second father to Woody and Gene for the rest of Bill’s life. Dad and Gene had obvious skill and talent to grow in the ranks of AAU Boxing. Dad developed a reputation of being a “left hook artist”. Both Dad and Gene won numerous championships in their divisions and were quite the celebrities in and around southern Idaho, northern Nevada and Utah. After a very successful amateur career, Dad joined the Army and served during the Korean War. Gene went on to the Pro ranks for several years and was very successful. Had Dad not joined the Army and continued his boxing, I have been told that he could have been the Middleweight Champion of the world.

After joining the Army Dad married his sweetheart, Joyce Elaine Gambrel, on January 15th, 1954 at St. Edwards Church. To this union were born a sweet little girl, Pamela Marie Turley, in 1956, and in 1958 a rascal little boy, Floyd Eugene Turley. In 1977 Mom and Dad divorced. Dad never remarried.

After his stint in the Army, Dad worked a while driving truck for Pepsi and then for Tommy Walker at Coors. Dad told me that Tommy Walker liked him so much that he offered to sell the Coors distributorship to him, and he (Tommy Walker) would carry the contract and train him in everything Dad needed to know and about the business. BUT, in the infinite business sense the Turley’s are noted for, Dad said thanks, but no thanks, “...this is only a fad.”
After a few more years Dad decided, for whatever reason, to go into the car business. He worked at Glenn Jenkins Chevrolet, Youree Motors, Ace Hansen Chevrolet, Thieson Motors, Roy Raymond Ford and Middlekauff. For a few years, in the 1970’s he was a partner with Charley Hatch at WoodChuck Auto Sales. When gas prices hit $1.75/gal. Dad panicked and wanted to sell the business. He felt people would not be able to afford to drive as the gas prices continued to raise. Another example of the unique Turley business sense. Dad had a successful career in a very fickle business. Dad always said that when the farmers had a good year, everybody had a good year. He had a deep respect for the farming community. You may have bought your first car from him.

His career spanned fifty years. Dad was good at it, too, as he won numerous awards throughout his career. When Dad turned 80, I drove him through the Middlekauff car lot one day. He looked at me and said, “I think I might get back into selling cars again.” I said, “Dad, they’ve changed quite a bit, but I’ll bet you could do it.” He seemed pretty happy at that. The subject was never brought up again.

In the late 90s, Dad experienced a very serious car wreck by Butte, Montana. He should have died (anyone else would have), but he was always tougher and more ornery than most. Physically, however, that car accident took a lot out of him and he finally started looking his age. He was in the hospital for months. One time I walked into his hospital room and Dan Rather was doing the news. Dad, still pretty high on his meds, he looked at me and said, “Dan Rather just talked about my wreck.” I chuckled and said, “Dad, it was a serious wreck, but I don’t think it made national news.”

After the wreck, Dad’s health never quite returned to normal. He grew older faster.
As the years passed, Dad lived a quiet peaceful life in the house he bought in 1974. Eventually he had to give up driving. That was hard for him and he did not like that.

A good friend, Bob Iverson, moved in with Dad to help care for him. Eventually Dad accepted Bob living there…when Bob finally quit stealing Dad’s underwear, shoes, silverware, and anything else that wasn’t found immediately, that is. Dad and Bob become very close friends.

Dad lived a life full of love and service for those he loved.  He was a protector, a leader, and would give anything to anyone in need. He loved his family and friends fiercely. His pride and greatest joy in life were his children and grandchildren. His favorite pastime was spent watching and cheering for his children and eventually his grandchildren at many, many baseball, softball, football, and basketball games. He always regretted and mentioned numerous times, that he wished he could have attended Pam’s children’s games, but they lived in Texas and he HATED leaving Twin Falls.

But it didn’t end there.  He was at all track meets, school plays, recitals, church programs…anything involving his grandchildren. His family was his life. He is loved by many and will be deeply missed.

He and I were driving past the TFHS Stadium a couple years ago and Dad mentioned he couldn’t wait to start going to the Great Grandkid’s football games again. That made me sad because I knew he wouldn’t live that long.

Dad is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved daughter, Pammy, his sisters, Iva Mae, Deanna and Woodena.

He is survived by his son, Gene(Carol), brother, Gene(Evelyn), his twin sisters Jeannine(Ron) and Jeanette(Dick), nine grandchildren,Yvette(Kurt) Joseph(Shannon) Angela(Justin) Joseph(Kimberlee) Emma(Mike) Deanna(Andy) Belinda(Jake) Justin(Katrina) Drew(Meagen) and 24 great-grandchildren.

A Viewing will be held Friday, March 22 from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will take place Saturday, March 23, at 11:00 A.M. at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd. Twin Falls.

The Turley family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the ICU staff at St. Luke’s and the staff at Genesis Care Center for their empathy and kindness during Dad’s stay.