Edward Vernon Turley

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Edward Vernon Turley (1897-1987)

The Theodore Turley Family Book, pp. 290-292

Edward lived in Colonia Juarez for fifteen years where the colonies gave the people who lived there every opportunity to enjoy the best of everything through Church activities. The Madero Revolution of 1911 reached the point where Church Authorities recommended that all LDS people should leave the Colonies in Mexico and return to the United States of America. Edward's family went to El Paso, Texas.

For two years Edward worked for the El Paso Union Depot as Assistant Ticket Agent and attended the International Business College at night. He completed two years of high school work as well as accounting, first and second budget work. By May 25, 1918 he had completed the Juarez Stake Academy High School requirements, but decided not to graduate but returned in the fall to do post graduate work and play ball and enjoy the Academy another year. During each summer the railroad gave his job back at the ticket office.

During the summer of 1918 the war was going on and they needed men for the Armed Services. In July, five of the boys from the Colonies, including Edward, decided to go to Utah and join the Student Army Training Corps at Utah State University. After four weeks of training, thirty members of the Corps were selected to go to the Central Infantry Officers training school at Waco, Texas. The Armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918, so it wasn't necessary for them to go overseas. After being released from the Army in Waco, he returned to the job at the Union Station in El Paso. It was his plan to accumulate funds and return to Utah State University to continue his education in the fall of 1919.

In April, 1919, his parents suggested that as he had more than enough credits to graduate from the Juarez Stake Academy, he come and graduate in the class with his brother Clarence F The principle of the Academy and the Board of Education approved, and he was graduated with a class of six boys May, 1919. July 27, 1919 President Andrew Kimball came to El Paso for a ward conference and during this time ordained Edward an Elder. Late in July he received a letter from Box B to report on Sept. 15, 1919 to Salt Lake City and be ready to enter the Eastern States Mission, headquarters at 273 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. During the two years he was in the mission, field he was fortunate to be able to labor in New York in the office during the day, holding meetings in Brooklyn and New York in the evenings. He also labored in New Haven, Hartford, Springfield, Boston, Lynn, and in Vermont.

October 1, 1921 Edward V. was given a release from the mission so that he could be in Salt Lake City for General Conference October 5, 6, and 7. While at conference, Bishop A. L. Pierce offered him a bookkeeper position in Chihuahua City in the automobile business. During the next two years Edward V. made all the financial statements for the Cia de Aubomobile S.A. He completed all the Ford System. He had a correspondence course in accounting and auditing with International Correspondence College in Pennsylvania.

There was a fine branch of the El Paso Ward, St. Joseph Stake in Chihuahua City with about thirty members where Edward was involved with the branch basketball teams. In November, 1923, Trenial Pauly, manager for the automobile company and Edward V. Turley, auditor, resigned their positions and returned to El Paso, Texas. The Seiberling Tire Company gave them the retail franchise in El Paso. Edward had served as First Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School and First Assistant Superintendent of the YMMIA before being called to be second counselor in the El Paso Ward Bishopric on Nov. 20, 1924. While serving for seven years, Edward helped the ward build a new chapel.

In September, 1931 Edward V. Turley moved to Dallas, Texas to take an auditor's position with an automobile company. The first Sunday he attended Church in the branch they were having a branch conference. The president of the Texas Mission asked him if he would labor as Second Counselor in the branch presidency. It was an opportunity to serve so he accepted the call. This was a small branch, but very dedicated members and a joy to serve with them and help with their problems. August 15, 1932 he returned to El Paso where the family was because the children could not live in the Dallas climate. In a short time there were various positions that the bishopric gave him to work in. He was working as auditor in the Tax Assessor's Office during the years of 1933-1934. The fall of 1934 he was called to be superintendent of the YMMIA, and in May was called to be Ward Clerk. In Dec., 1942 he was called to be a High Councilman. Elder George Albert Smith of the Council of the Twelve set him apart. He labored under President Spencer W. Kimball of the Mt. Graham Stake. On Sept. 20, 1952, the El Paso Stake was organized by Elders Harold B. Lee and Spencer W. Kimball of the Council of the Twelve. Elder Edward V. Turley .Sr. was set apart as Stake President In 1955 he was released and called to teach the Senior Aaronic group for eleven years–a humbling experience with a great deal of joy received in seeing many advance in the Priesthood. He was called to be the Stake Auditor in 1964 and has been teaching the High Priest's group in El Paso Ward.

Edward married Winifred Louise Roche on Sept. 24, 1925 in El Paso, Texas . She was born Oct. 8, 1902 to Thomas Davies and Margaret Elizabeth Parry Corey Roche.

After her death, he married Gladys Carol Tarpenning Brockus Feb. 27, 1960 in El Paso, Texas. She was born Dec. 25, 1905 in Ashland, Nebr. to Bert Elmer and Kittie Frances Will Tarpenning. She had previously been married to Russell Paul Brockus and has one daughter, Patricia Joy Brockus who was born Nov. 22, 1929 in Wewoka, Oklahoma and was married . April 29, 1961 to Arnold C. Powers, II.