TURPLE, Gordon John

1959 – 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gordon John Turple. He faced his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with dignity and strength, but ultimately lost his battle Sunday, October 5, 2025 with his family by his side. Gordon was born at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Friday, May 28, 1959 to Joyce (nee Charlton) and Glenn Turple. Gordon lived in Westpark until moving to Sunnybrook in 1966 where his father Glenn still resides today. Gordon was an entrepreneur at a young age. He learned to mow lawns and shovel snow in the neighborhood to start saving money. He also learned that Sundays were the day to go riding. Whether it was a motorcycle in the summer or snowmobile in the winter it was all fun on his Uncle Johnny’s farm just south of Red Deer. Growing up around a family business, it allowed him to start work early with cleaning the store and learning to sell parts or whatever was required. This added to the passion of riding. In high school, Gordon was part of the running club and raced motocross learning from his Uncle Rex. By the time Gordon was sixteen he had saved to purchase a new Honda Civic. That was his pride and joy that he used to commute to LTCHS till graduation in 1977. While in high school, Gordon also caught the bug to travel. After graduation he and his friend Ward travelled around Europe for quite a few months till it was time to start earning a living. Gordon was hired by ATB Financial in 1978 and worked his way up the ladder starting in Lacombe, then Oyen, Calgary, Cochrane and Wainwright. Life took a new turn when he met the love of his life, Sandy Donkersley, when he was skiing with his roommate Steve, while residing in Calgary. Gordon felt the need to settle down and chose to join in the family business in 1983. Gordon took the leap, she said yes, and Gordon and Sandy got married Saturday, October 15, 1983. Gordon worked hard in managing The “Riders Den” in the Turple Brothers downtown location and added the bicycle line that ran downtown till the move to Gasoline Alley in 2000. Gordon met the newest love of his life, when Sandy gave birth to their daughter, Christine, on Thursday, June 19, 1986. While working and busy with family life, Gordon still found time to be an active member of the Kinsmen Club of Red Deer and enjoyed working with the club to strengthen our community. Gordon’s family was complete when their son, Steven, was born in 1990. Gordon travelled each year for business and maintained a strong relationship with many companies over the years with being the buyer for the accessories department. He was well respected by staff and the many companies that he worked with over the forty-two years of being a part of the business. Gordon is survived by his wife, Sandy; his daughter, Christine; and his son, Steven (Vicky). He also leaves behind his father, Glenn Turple; brother, Dale Turple; sister, Brenda (Darrell) Neufeld; sister-in-law, Barb (Ken) Osborne; brother-in-law, Ken (Lori) Donkersley; sister-in-law, Sharon Donkersley; along with many nieces and nephews and cousins as well as his Aunt Bev Turple. He was predeceased by his mother, Joyce (nee Charlton) Turple; father-in-law, Bill Donkersley; and mother-in-law, Mary Donkersley. The family would like to thank the staff at the Red Deer Hospice for their compassionate care over the last few weeks of Gordon’s journey. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Red Deer Hospice Society at 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 3S6. A Memorial Service will be held at Gaetz Memorial United Church, 4758 – 50 Street, Red Deer, Alberta, on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

“Caring Community Compassion Since 1999”

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2025-10-16
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com