Obituary of Thomas Richard Turnham

Turnham, Thomas Richard age 92, of Long Lake, MN died peacefully at home on May 15th. He was born 2/15/1925 in Orono, MN, the first son of Richard and Vera Turnham. He graduated in '43 from Wayzata HS, and promptly joined the Army Air Corps during WWII. He became a B-25 bomber pilot and flew numerous combat missions in the Pacific theatre in the summer of '45. He was on a bombing run over Japan on 8/15/45 when over his cockpit radio came the greatest news, "Return to base, the war is over!" He returned home and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U of Minnesota. He also courted his high school sweetheart Betty Munns. They were married in '48, and enjoyed 68 years of marriage together. After graduation Tom was hired by the Uhl Company, where he designed and sold commercial heating equipment. He worked his entire career with Uhl Co., eventually becoming co-owner. He retired at the young age of 57 and enjoyed 35 years of active retirement, pursuing his favorite past times of golf, travel, woodworking, fishing, and bread-making. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 206 in the '60's. He was also a very active member at Messiah United Methodist church. He was head of the building committee when the current church was built in '65. Tom's great grandfather Edwin was one of the first settlers to homestead in Orono back in 1855. As a result, Tom came to be a local history buff and was very active with the Western Hennepin County Pioneer's Association (WHCPA), and served as its President for many years. However, his greatest love was his family. He is survived by his loving wife Betty and his five sons, James (Lucy), Daniel, David (Susan), Mark (Mariana), and John (Rena). He was also very close with his only sibling, Dale (Terolle). He loved his grandchildren Katie, Rigney, Kira, Ben, Claire, Milo, and Tobias. He was a wonderful husband/father/grandfather, and will be dearly missed by all. Service will be held Saturday, May 20th at Messiah United Methodist Church with a 2pm visitation and 3pm Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Messiah Church, 17805 C.R. 6, Plymouth, MN 55447, or to WHCPA, PO Box 332, Long Lake, MN 55356.