Clayton Dean Turner

Clayton Dean Turner Sr.,77, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024 at Wellsville Health and Rehabilitation in Wellsville, KS.  The family is planning a memorial at a later date.  

Clayton was born on November 9, 1946 in Newton, KS to Nelson and Lucille (Gilmore) Turner. He was the youngest of four children. From the time of his birth in 1946 to 1955, the family lived in Canton, KS before moving to Thrall, KS in 1955 and later to Edgerton, KS in 1963.  Clayton ran track and played football in high school. He graduated from Gardner-Edgerton High School in 1965.  

Clayton married Constance “Connie” Turner on January 30, 1970. They were married 47 years before her passing in December 2018. They were blessed with three children: Michelle, Clayton Jr. “Dean,” and Jennifer.  He raised his family mainly in Lawrence, KS.  

He worked at Greg Tire in Lawrence, KS and worked for Barnett Construction as a framer and helped to build houses until his retirement.  

Clayton loved fishing, camping, cooking and smoking food, spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his younger years, Clayton enjoyed street racing, racing remote control cars, and loved sitting on his front porch, either drinking a cup of coffee in the mornings or making homemade ice cream with his grandchildren. His favorite music was Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, and Johnny Cash. He also enjoyed Louis L’ Amour western novels, watching westerns and classic movies.  
 

Clayton had an amazing sense of humor and was pulling pranks on his kids and grandchildren. He was a big fan of KU and the KC Chiefs. Clayton enjoyed attending parades and festivals, especially Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City, KS and loved getting cider doughnuts and coffee while watching the parade with his family.  He was known for his amazing blue eyes and smile that would make anyone’s day.  He also loved working and building with his hands, often helping neighbors and friends build porches.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Constance "Connie" Elaine Turner (Borror) on December 21, 2018, his parents, Nelson L. Turner and Lucille Turner (Gilmore), and a  nephew, Gary Wayne McCracken. He was also preceded in death by a nephew Franklin L. Borror Jr., a  brother in law, Max D. Borror and a sister in law, Marcia Criqui and her husband, Jerry Criqui Sr., on his late wife’s side of the family.  

He is survived by his two sisters and his brother: Karin McCracken of Olathe, Sondra Lewis of Wichita, and Nelson Lee "Bud" Turner and his wife, Marti, both of Olathe, KS.  He us survived by a sister in law, Judith Shepard, and her husband, Elmo, and a brother in law, Frank Borror, all of Lawrence, KS.  

He is survived by his three children, Michelle Walton and her significant other, Paul, both of Lawrence, KS, Clayton Dean Turner Jr. of Lawrence, KS, and Jennifer Ray and her significant other, Mike, both of Emporia, KS; six grandchildren: Lara Chance and her husband, Chaz, both of Wellsville, KS, James Giffin of Lawrence, KS, Ashlie Raby and her husband, Jeff, both of Topeka, KS, Miranda Walton and her significant other, Ozzy, both of Lawrence, KS, Kyle Walton of Lawrence, KS, and Krystal Turner of Emporia, KS. 

He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren: Abbi, Natalee, Samuel, Patrick, Emily, Clara, Diana, Sarah Jo, Demarcus, Thunder, Aiyden, Zachary and Shyla.  

He is survived by 17 nieces and nephews, including those on his late wife’s side: Steven, Judy, Phillip, Camila and her husband, Steve, Travis and his wife, Tami, Charles and his wife, Gwen, Darin, and Charlene. He also has 20 great nieces and nephews and 6 great -great nieces and nephews.  

The family is suggesting memorials in his name be sent to Wilson Funeral Home in care of the mortuary.   

Clayton’s family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Scott Averill and the staff at Wellsville Health and Rehab. Thank you for the excellent care and love you showed towards Clayton.  

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