Michael Walter Turgeon
Dec. 17, 1953 ~ Feb. 7, 2019
Michael Walter Turgeon was born to Theodore and Louisa Turgeon, on Dec. 17, 1953, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mike grew up in Yankton, South Dakota. though he most enjoyed his time spent on his grandparents’ farm in Academy, South Dakota.
At the age of 16, Mike went into the job corps, it was here that he learned his construction skills that he later used while in the Navy and in his career.
Mike served in the United States Navy from 1971 to 1991, where he was ranked as Builder—Chief Petty Officer. He was stationed in many countries, and, as we have learned recently, multiple top secret operations. He was an excellent marksman, and was actually a shooting instructor in the Navy. Mike took his service very seriously, and because of this, he spoke very little of his experiences. What he did share with those close to him were some of the different places he saw, and the international cuisine that he enjoyed so much.
Mike lived in the Carbondale area for 20 years, where he worked as a contractor for a cabinet-making shop, Crystal Springs Builders, and Structural Steel. In 2004 he met his beautiful wife Susan and they were married in 2007. In 2010, they moved to Rangely where he went to work in the oilfield for Genesis Gas & Oil until oil prices fell and Genesis all but pulled out of the field all together. More recently he worked for Rio Blanco County for the past year. He truly felt like Rangely was his home.
Though Mike had no children of his own, he embraced the family he married into. Susan’s children— Daniel and Kary—thought of him as a father, and he was an amazing and proud grandfather.
Mike enjoyed gardening, reloading, reading, target practicing, wood working, and of course, cooking. He was quick-witted and very funny. He was easy to pick out in a crowd, with his signature stance and his handsome smile, both of which will be greatly missed by many.
Mike is survived by his wife Susan Turgeon; seven siblings, Ted (Jerry Kay) Turgeon of Omaha, Nebraska; Jane Ann (Craig) Henson of Sioux City, Iowa; Becky (Andy) Sandoval of Firestone, Colorado; Mark (Shirley) Turgeon of Thornton, Colorado; Wendy (John) Turgeon of Carbondale, Colorado; and Lori Koeck of Ree Heights, South Dakota; two stepchildren, Daniel (Deserai) Lapp of Rangely, Colorado; Kary (Will) Tardiff, of Carbondale, Colorado; and five grandchildren: Samantha, Kacie, and Shauna Lapp and Nikki and Blake Tardiff.
Celebration of life will be held May 4, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Rangely Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the old Ace High building.
