Jeffrey Craig Turner, age 59, died October 27, 2024 at his home in Kanab, Utah. He was born on July 3, 1965 in Encino, California to Stevan Craig and Sherrone Roundy Turner. He came a little earlier than expected, and they were so surprised and excited that he was a boy! The first five years of Jeff’s life were spent in Canoga Park, California, camping in National Parks, swimming and going to the ocean. Cousins played a big part of his early life, and spending time with his grandparents in North Hollywood.
When Jeff was 5, the family moved back to his mother’s home town of Kanab, Utah. He wasn’t thrilled to be in a small town and missed the big city, but was soon found helping build the new house, playing down in the crick (creek), riding a dirt bike in the back yard, arrowhead hunting, and fishing at the reservoir. He graduated from Kanab High School in 1983.
Jeff worked several jobs while growing up. He started at the restaurant owned by Nick and Paula Zutes, and their relationship continued throughout his life, having a great impact on him. He also worked at Parry’s Lodge, and was in the pep band during school playing the drums.
After graduation, Jeff moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend trade school, learning mechanics and taking courses specializing in diagnostics. That knowledge served him well throughout his life. He later went in to construction where he became a subdivision development manager. He oversaw a big site with a lot of workers, and picked up some knowledge of Spanish while working there.
Jeff worked for himself and others remodeling apartments over the years. He would live in the space while working, and then move to the next apartment when completed. While helping his sister redo her home in Fredonia, they reconnected and had a wonderful time planning and working on not only the home but their relationship together.
Jeff moved home to Kanab in 2008 to work for Paula Zutes as a property manager running the coffee shop “Moon Saloon”. He eventually took over managing the “Crescent Moon Theatre” in 2011, and continued helping there until his death.
In 2013, Jeff got a job working with Kanab City where he wore many hats. On top of being the airport manager, he helped with the city pool, the cemetery, and the parks, just to name a few while also building and remolding many of the buildings in town. He was the “go to” guy when they had a problem.
Shortly after moving back to Kanab, Jeff met and married Linda Hollabough. He developed close bond with her daughter Miranda during that time, and officially adopted her in 2020 to permanently cement their relationship as father and daughter. The family was always so grateful Jeff got to know the love of his child through this and he always talked about how he was so proud of her.
Jeff was diagnosed with renal cancer in 2016. He had a kidney removed and seemed to be cancer free. Unfortunately, in 2021, he received news that the same cancer had spread to his brain. He fought bravely for the last 3 years, quietly fighting for each day, never complaining. When told his cancer had become very aggressive, he made the brave choice to come home on hospice, where he passed peacefully surrounded by his family and friends.
Jeff is survived by his daughter Miranda (Tyler), mother Sherrone, sister Tiffany (Jerry) Torgerson, and fur baby Ellie, as well as many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Stevan, sister Tennille, good friend Jason and both sets of grandparents.
A visitation will be held Saturday, November 2 at 1:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM, both in the Kanab City Airport Hanger (a place Jeff worked hard for and loved). Services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary.