Mark Allen Turner

Mark Allen Turner, 65, of Idalou, TX, passed away with his family by his side on May 5th, 2024, at his home in Idalou after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was born on May 21, 1958, in Denver City, TX, the oldest child of the late Richard Turner and Ruth (Jones) Turner. 

He graduated from Denver City High School in 1976. After graduating high school, he attended West Texas State University where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree. Mark’s decades-long teaching and coaching career took him to Hereford, Odessa, and eventually Idalou, where he coached and lived longer than anywhere else in his life (33 years). 

Mark married Cynthia Streun on June 14th, 1986, in Hereford, TX. Together they share two children, daughter Allison (Turner) Bennett and Brent Turner. 

Mark had a kind, level-headed demeanor, and always tried to look for the best in people. This was true in his home, as a father and devoted partner to his wife Cynthia for 37 years, in his community where he was actively involved at First Baptist Idalou, and in his profession where he taught and coached hundreds of students and mentored other coaches. 

After his retirement, he was happiest with his granddaughters, on the golf course or on a cruise ship with friends.

Mark loved watching old westerns, listening to classic rock, and enjoying a plate of good enchiladas wherever they were served. Peanut M&Ms and Blue Bell ice cream were his favorite sweet treats, and he could always be found sipping on a Diet Coke, sometimes a Dr Pepper, but never a Pepsi. One could always tell what mood he would be in based on if the Cowboys and Rangers won or lost. 

Left to honor and cherish is memory are his wife, Cynthia Turner of Idalou, TX; two children: Allison Bennett and husband Kevin of Garland, TX, and Brent Turner and wife Morgan of Abernathy, TX; three granddaughters: Cora and Caroline Turner of Abernathy, and Margot Bennett of Garland; two sisters: LeeAnn (Turner) Peeler and husband Rynn of Denver City, TX, and Lynna (Turner) Solis and husband Sam of Rockport, TX, and numerous other loving family members and friends from all around the country. 

A heartfelt thank you to the staff and nurses at Hospice of Lubbock who took great care of Mark and his family during his final weeks. 

A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, May 9th, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at The Venue at Combest on Broadway in Lubbock, TX.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 10th, 2024, at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Idalou, TX. Burial to immediately follow at Idalou Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to First Baptist Church Idalou or the Texas Girls and Boys Ranch in Lubbock.