David Turnbull, 68, of Pittsburg, KS, passed away on September 30, 2023 peacefully at home.
David was born on December 24, 1954 to Joseph and Betty (Dunbar) Turnbull at Pittsburg, KS. On March 22, 1997, he was united in marriage to Diana Mowdy. She survives of the home.
In addition to his wife Diana, he is survived by a daughter, Laci Waterman (Brian) of Asbury, MO; a son, Greg Mowdy (Jennifer) of Pittsburg, KS; eight grandchildren, Hannah Gray, Hailey Gray, Luke Larmer, Nora Waterman, Heather Mowdy, Noah Mowdy and Hillary Mowdy, Meghan Scrader; a great-grandson, Liam Scrader; three brothers, Mark Turnbull (Sherry) of Pittsburg, KS, Mike Turnbull (Bobbie) of Pittsburg, KS, and Randy Turnbull (Tammy) of Pittsburg, KS; a sister-in-law, Pat Turnbull of Aurora, MO; and many, many loved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; aunt, Diane Dunbar; brother, Steve Turnbull; and nephew, Matt Turnbull.
David attended Pittsburg schools for his entire education. Three years of high school he attended College High. His senior year was completed at Pittsburg High School, graduating in 1972. He then attended Kansas State College of Pittsburg graduating in 1976 with a bachelor of Education Degree. He later received a Master's of Education from Kansas State College of Pittsburg.
David’s teaching career began in the Carthage school district, for one year. He then had the opportunity to return to Pittsburg where he was able to teach for 30-plus years as a math teacher at Pittsburg Middle School, and retire from the district that he loved.
Along with his teaching career, he had a very long and successful coaching career. He was a quiet leader in Pittsburg athletics, coaching both girls and boys in tennis, basketball, golf, and softball. He is most known for coaching girls’ basketball, golf, and softball. He had a passion for coaching because two of the loves in his life were sports and teaching kids.
David was a devoted family man. His family was very large, but was not limited to his blood relatives. Aside from many siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, he also had a church family; a softball family; a golf family; a student, teachers, and coaches family; and the Gamma Alpha Lambda (GAL) family. David lived the example of being one family in Christ.
He will live on in all his family because he left a lasting impression with the many phrases and sayings that everyone remembers him by. His giggles were infectious and his eyes always sparkled. His phrases were meaningful. His song "Have patience" is sung by every grandchild. "Get out of your head" is remembered by every athlete. When he was proud of you, he would tell you "U done good." When faced with any obstacle, he always said "I ain't a scaret." He and his brothers were left with the best advice to a good marriage by their father, "Head down, mouth shut." He repeated that phrase often, and as a result, had a successful marriage. He lived his life according to this faith and met his obligations as a man of God by showing all of us who Jesus is.
He passed like he lived his life.... peacefully and with purpose, living his life for the Lord and serving others.
A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brenner Mortuary. A Celebration of Life will be on Thursday, October 5th, at 10:30 a.m. at the South Broadway Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Moss officiating. Memorial donations can be made to the PHS Softball Field Project in the care of the USD #250 Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS.
