Thomas Neal Turrell, 73

Thomas “Tom” N. Turrell of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away Jan. 1, 2026, New Year's Day. He is survived by his wife, Rackel “Candice,” and daughter Teryn Nova Turrell, brothers Tim (Peggy) Turrell, Tracy (Lynda) Turrell and Terry N. Turrell, along with ex-wife Jeannie (Lunceford) Quade and adult children Jeremy, Tessa, and Taylor, grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Tom was born in Spokane, Wash., at Deaconess Hospital to Herb and Marian (Weiler) Turrell on Oct. 2, 1952, their third child. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Harry and Ruth Turrell, Jacob and Florence Weiler, sister-in-law Lonnie Turrell and nephew T. Ryan Turrell.

Tom was a very good athlete in school, especially at baseball. Tom was a catcher, and his Irish twin brother, Tim, was a pitcher. Tom eventually earned an athletic scholarship to Idaho State University in Pocatello after graduating from high school in 1971. His brother Tim later joined him until ISU dissolved its baseball program. Tom returned to Coeur d’Alene, went to Spokane Community College, and learned welding and later diesel mechanics. He was a certified welder and Master Journeyman Diesel Mechanic/Engineer. He worked in Alaska on the North Slope for over eight sea lifts, the Gulf of Alaska, Sacramento, Salt Lake, the Bakken oil patch in North Dakota, and 13 counties in Africa, where he met his wife, Rackel, and retired in Solwezi, Zambia, near her family. 

Some of Tom’s friends called him the "most interesting man in the world"; he crammed 10 lifetimes into his 73 years. Tom was a cancer survivor from his first bout with the disease 23 years ago. It returned this past year, and his health failed with his passing on New Year's Day.  

There will be no formal service, but a family and friends gathering is planned for Saturday, Jan. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. at his brother Tim’s home at 2855 W. Yukon Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. This will also be a fundraiser for his wife and child to help with expenses and return home. Non-alcoholic beverages, soup, and chili will be provided; if you can, please bring an hors d’oeuvre or side dish. BYOB.