Rodney James Turnbull

Rodney James Turnbull

Born Oct 1, 1950

Passed away, Jan 20, 2024

It is with broken hearts, the family of Rod Turnbull wishes to announce his unexpected passing at his home in Lacombe, Alberta, in the presence of his family at the age of 73 years old.

Rod was born in Bentley, Alberta on Oct 1st, 1950. He lived a full career and family life, loved and remembered by many.

Rod attended Bentley School, where he excelled at various sports like football, hockey, and track. He was regularly the captain of the team and that title would follow him throughout his life, known as a leader and someone to look up to. 

A man with a plan and a goal, Rod met the love of his life and best friend Laverne at twelve years old, and they went on their first date at fifteen. Eventually, they married at nineteen and were ready to take on the world.

It was around this time Rod took focus on a challenging and rewarding plumbing career apprenticing under his Uncle Jack and completing his journeyman with honors in 1972. This career grew into a father-and-son plumbing business, later shifting gears into a 35 year career with Goldbar Mechanical, a commercial plumbing and gas fitting company. It was here he became known as the “Cadillac Plumber” for his above-average work ethic and above-average work.

Rod often referred to Laverne as his compass, as he said he’d be lost without her. Together, the captain and the compass raised two beautiful girls, Kandace and Angie, who were always the center of their Dad's life. He loved them more than anything, adored, and protected them. Well-known as the family jokester, he regularly teased and annoyed the girls, as well as anyone else in earshot.

The family cherished a lifetime of memories together on family road trips, golfing, dancing, camping, and attending sporting events. There was always a lot of fun being had in the Turnbull clan.

Rod's warm presence was felt at all family events where he’d meet you with a gripping bear hug, and if that hug didn’t leave you breathless, one of his lame Dad jokes would.   

Rod eventually retired in 2016 when he reluctantly started to slow down. In the coming years, he battled several health issues where his traits as a stubborn fighter who never complained would shine through. 

Rod was predeceased by his parents David and Joyce Turnbull and leaves behind to treasure his memory, his wife and best friend of 53 years Laverne, daughters Kandace (Ian), Angie (Kix), his best furry friend Chase, friends that became family Alex & Christy Wyse (Madia, Elliott, Presley), loving sister Janice (Brent), brothers Bradley & Randy, sister and brother in-laws Lynn (Dave), Lee (Terry), Uncle Reiny, Uncle Tom (Sandy), and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.   

The family would like to thank the emergency services for their amazing care and kindness during this time.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, at 2 pm at the Blindman Valley Agricultural Centre (Bentley Ag. Centre), Bentley, Alberta. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute at https://givetouhf.ca/mazankowski-alberta-heart-institute/or the Saving Grace Animal Society at . https://www.savinggracecanada.com/donations.

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