Milton Dean Turley

Milton was born June 2, 1944, in Kalispell, Mont. He joined a loving family of four — his father, Paul Turley, his mother, Dorothy, and his two sisters, Marcella and Beulah. The Turley family lived in western Montana until 1950, when they moved to North Idaho in search of more stable employment. That same year, Milt’s younger brother, Troy, was born Jan. 1, and the family settled in Pinecreek (near Pinehurst) on a small family farm. From an early age, Milt was an outdoorsman at heart. Fishing, hunting and hiking filled his childhood days and remained his greatest passions throughout his life.

He attended school in Idaho’s Silver Valley, graduating from Kellogg High School in 1962. Later that year, he enlisted in the United States Army, beginning a distinguished military career that would define much of his life. Milt excelled in every challenge set before him. He graduated with top honors from Basic Training at Fort Ord, Calif., and chose Combat Arms as his specialty. He went on to complete Advanced Infantry Training — also at Fort Ord — before earning his Jump wings at Fort Benning, Ga., in 1963. His skills and dedication led him to attend the U.S. Army Ranger School. After completing Ranger School, he joined the 5th Special Forces Group, where he served among America’s elite before later becoming part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Not one to stop advancing, Milt furthered his career by being trained at the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, N.C., earning the coveted Green Beret. During his service, Milt’s assignments included debriefing teams returning from Vietnam, analyzing their missions to better prepare the next groups deploying into combat. On one short-term deployment to Vietnam, he was wounded by shrapnel and received a Purple Heart for his injuries. Over the course of his military service, Milt earned three Purple Hearts in recognition of his bravery and wounds received in action. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1965 as a Sergeant First Class (E-7), Milt returned home to North Idaho, where he worked alongside his father in the mining industry. He later pursued higher education, attending night classes and earning an Associate Degree in Education, followed by both a Master’s Degree and an Education Specialist Degree from the University of Idaho.

Milt married Shanan Sarratt from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and together they had three sons — Mike, Jon and Marc. The family moved to Boise, where Milt worked for Morrison-Knudsen before returning to North Idaho. He then began working at the Coeur d’Alene Company in Wallace, Idaho, working as a shop foreman, manufacturing and fabricating machines for the mines in the area. Thereafter, he joined North Idaho College as a welding instructor and later became Division Chairman. His dedication to teaching inspired countless students over the years. After retiring from NIC in 2001, Milt continued to share his expertise as a welding instructor for St. Maries and Plummer high schools.

In 1987, Milt married the love of his life, Kay Didelot. Together, Milt and Kay made their home in Avery, Idaho, where they shared many wonderful years camping, fishing, and exploring the mountains he loved. They later moved to Spokane, Wash., where Milt lived out the rest of his life surrounded by family and friends.

Milt was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Turley, and his sisters, Marcella McGraw and Beulah Furnish. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay Turley; his brother, Troy Turley; his three sons, Mike (Lorna), Jon (Becky), and Marc Turley; two step-daughters, Becky Ewers (Dave) and Melissa Raugust; nine grandchildren, three nieces, six nephews, and three great-grandchildren.

Milt was a man of integrity, humor and adventure and a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose heart belonged to the outdoors. He will be remembered for his courage, unwavering loyalty and love of family and country. There will be a memorial for his life at a later date.