Alan Robert Turnquist

Alan Robert Turnquist of St. Petersburg, Florida, went home to God on August 13, 2022, at the age of 71. He came into the world on August 29, 1950, in Norwalk, Connecticut, as the first-born from the union between Robert Erskine Turnquist and Helen Ross Turnquist. Alan was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Rev. Edward Leftwich, his sister Deloris Beck, and his beloved children, Crystal Turnquist and Ross Von Alan Turnquist. Alan attended Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, Connecticut, before enrolling at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where his grandfather John McLinn Ross was a professor of drama. He married the love of his life and mother of his children, Oweta LaSalle Terry, after relocating to Florida where he honed a career in sales leadership. Apart from his children, Alan’s proudest achievement was his decade of service as founder and CEO of Mentors on a Mission, a sales training program that enrolled hundreds of aspiring talents of all ages. He was an avid guitarist and biker, and in recent years, was a proud member of The Brothers Motorcycle Club. His passion for life was evidenced in his constant reminders to seize every opportunity, and his personal motto, “You can sleep when you die!” Alan is survived by his love and best friend, Oweta; his brothers Kevin and Robert Turnquist; six living children – Alan Joseph Turnquist, Gypsy Chanda Turnquist-Gallardo, Kimberley Hope Turnquist-Webb, Alansen Terry Turnquist Mondesir, LaSalle Catherine Turnquist, and Jonathan Stephen Turnquist. His legacy lives on through 14 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Alan’s homegoing celebration will be held at Lake Vista Recreation Center (1401 62nd Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705) on Sunday, August 28, 2022, beginning promptly at 2:45 pm with a “Last Ride” tribute by fellow bikers. Friends & family are asked to arrive by 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Reach St. Pete at https://reachstpete.org/donate to help meet the needs of our city’s homeless.