I LOVE my Father Mr. Avaton Winston Turnbow, who is the proud patriarch of the Turnbow brood. I admire, respect, and cherish Him. He is the most important Man in My life. He has taught me how to live, save money, invest, pursue happiness, and introduced Me to the best music of all time the world has to offer. He has the absolute best advice in all orders of the Universe. My Dad is My Hero!!!!!!! Period!

     (Computer Art of The great Avaton Winston Turnbow by Son Eric)

My Father has passed away this morning, Saturday, May 21, 2011. He was 83 and 11 months young! This is a sombre day indeed, but life goes, and the world will continue to turn! My Father would insist upon it. I love Him dearly, and I always will! He was the best Father I could have ever hoped for. The world has lost an amazing and original Man. PEACE!
Avaton Winston Turnbow (RIP)
Born: June 20, 1927
Passed: May 21, 2011 (Dad left Us for the after world at 6:29 a.m.)

(I proudly wear this blue shirt that Dad is wearing in this memorial shot. I also got a hold of His long black trench coat which I wear with gusto!)

It was a strange thing to, because about an earlier I was watching the tube and out of nowhere the power went out. There was no storm or inclement weather to cause this. It was a mystery. It was only out for a minute, and I got up to reset all the clocks and turn the computer back on. Looking back, I must assume that was the spirit of My father, the great Avaton Winston Turnbow calling out and saying goodbye to us all as he passes onto the next dimension, as only Dad could. It was no accident. He was breathing his last goodbye to Me.

At the time I happened to be watching an old episode of “The Waltons”. A show about a large family full of love. I have been preparing myself for this moment, but somehow You never are ready. My thoughts and prayers go out to His widow Vikki Turnbow, and the rest of this Family of 6 children, 8 Grandkids, His CAC church and the Matriarch of our family, Jean Turnbow. Long live the memory of our father, The great Avaton Winston Turnbow! RIP! Dad left Us for the after world at 6:29 a.m.

Here is the lyrics to that great song I wrote for my Father! ENJOY! It is a true story! (Used by permission).

“DAD”
Written By Eric Turnbow

Dad I need to tell you
That you’re the only Father
I can call my own
Dad listen to me
When I say that you’re the finest man
I have ever known

(chorus)
And a son needs to tell his Father
That he loves him every once in awhile
And so I’m telling you exactly that today
When I think of all the memories
I have inside of me
I simply have to smile
There’s enough of them to cover the Milky Way
Dad Dad Dad Dad

Feeding bears in Yellowstone,
Rock hunting in old San Antone
Ferris wheels, and Disneyland,
and old Mt Rushmore oh so very grand
From the world’s fair called Expo,
to the redwoods way down south
I can sing about memories all day long,
the words keep flowing out of my mouth

(Repeat chorus)

There’s enough of them to cover the Milky Way
There’s enough of them to cover the Milky Way

_____________________________________________

(Here He is in New York City getting ready for The Opera 05-08-97)!
Here is a response about the song “Dad” as posted by
The man it was written for. Mr A. W. Turnbow wrote:

— Avaton Turnbow wrote:

Many thanks for the thoughtful gifts, Eric. I really enjoy the Neil Young CD and hope the stations will give it plenty of air time.I also enjoyed your card and the artsy pic of me you did on the computer. But best of all, I really really enjoyed and appreciated you singing my favourite song, “Dad ” last night. (If I should ever pass over into spirit some day and the family holds some kind ceremony, my only request is that you sing that song for me one more time. No matter where I might be, I promise you that I will hear it and think of you. You are a great son and I love you very much and am extremely proud of how you are handling your life. Love, Dad.

Thanks I will take that!

This would be my response back to A.W. Turnbow:

I am proud to sing that song for you ANYTIME and especially on Fathers Day or more recently your birthday. That is a very special track that I wrote ,just for you a long time ago in 1983 and recorded for you in 1997 for inclusion on my all original cd “I’m Alive”. We loved having you at the club for the big birthday 79 party. By the way, it helped me sell another original cd to that “DJ Debby” lady and I got a $5 tip as well. That is an amazing number by the way.

And I am proud of you as well my friend! I promise I will perform your song “DAD” at your memorial, but if I have my wish that will not be for another millennium. You are way too healthy.

Love your son….

ERIC

ALL ORIGINAL LYRICS
Copyright 1998 by ETMUSIC

                                       (This a profile of My Dad in 1997)!

Avaton is survived by his wife, Vicki, Olympia, four sons, Marc, Tom and Eric Turnbow of Olympia and Jon Strongbow of Seattle, daughters Marilyn Turnbow of Olympia and Katherine Peil, Cambridge, MA, eight grandchildren Jesse Peil, Katelyn Peil, Chelsea Peterson, Chloe Turnbow, Ivy Turnbow, Brenna Turnbow, Tessa Turnbow, Tanner Jon (TJ) Turnbow, 3 great grandchildren, Fletcher Peterson, Deuss Turnbow-Moore and Clementine Peil. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Constance “Connie” Janda and Virginia DeMaris.
Family suggests memorials to any of the following organizations, if anyone feels inclined to do so:

Cosmic Awareness Communications
P.O. Box 115
Olympia, WA 98507

The Olympia Union Gospel Mission
413 Franklin St NE # A
Olympia, WA 98501-6946

The Salvation Army of Olympia
1505 4th Avenue East
Olympia, WA 98506-4380

Thurston County Food Bank
220 Thurston Avenue Northeast
Olympia, WA 98501-1138

The family will hold a private family memorial at a later time. Funeral arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Washington – Lacey.

(Dad sure loved to walk that “Bear” Dog!)

Date: 7/23/2011 10:26:50 AM
From: John Giovine
Message: I fondly remember the Turnbow family while growing up in Olympia. Amos always seemed a robust, larger than life cornerstone in the community. A cutting edge, avant-garde man who with grace and boldness made this world a better place. Happy trails, “Windy”

2381377
Date: 5/27/2011 2:21:38 PM
From: Gretchen Christopher
Message: Amos Winston Turnbow, “Avaton”, “Windy”, the “Turnbow Tornado” is known to me only through the writings of his appreciative family and friends. I especially enjoyed the eloquent writings of his daughter Katherine Turnbow Peil (seconded by her sister Marilyn, below). But it was the tribute of his devoted son, Eric “ET” Turnbow (known to me as a songwriter, musician, recording artist and karaoke host), that touched me and led me to this page to pay my respects, as requested. Eric’s song to his “Dad” – and especially his dad’s response to it – moved me to happy tears. How great to have their mutual love, respect and appreciation documented and acknowledged to each other in the living years! Believe me, this, above all else, helps make the transition easier. I was blessed to have my father, Ian Christopher, until just short of his 97th birthday, and my mother, Helen Christopher, to beyond her 99th (see www.TheFleetwoods.com/tributes#Helen_Gray_Christopher ), and I was able to let them go without regret, because I had consciously and constantly communicate my love for them – from the time I was a tiny toddler, throughout, and to the very ends their lives. I wonder if my parents and yours, Jean and Amos Winston Turnbow (four arguably brilliant and talented people, leaving important legacies) all knew each other (perhaps in the early years of the Olympia Unitarian Fellowship? You know the name Turnbow has always seemed familiar to me). Now, only Jean is left to tell us (I hope you will ask her, Eric, and let me know). In any case, seems you all have much to celebrate: A family well-raised, and a life well lived – by Amos Winston Turnbow, “Avaton”, “Windy”, “Turnbow Tornado” – the very first! Softly, with love of family and music to share, Eric and Mimi’s friend, Gretchen Christopher www.GretchenChristopher.com

2381266
Date: 5/26/2011 3:49:31 PM
From: Marilyn
Message: My sister Katherine nailed it. I believe she just described the “Turnbow Tornado.

2381263
Date: 5/26/2011 3:19:26 PM
From: Katherine Turnbow Peil
Message: Amos Winston Turnbow was my father. When he and my mother, (Mary Jean Janzen) married in 1953, they had just been plopped from the academic conveyor belt, filled with intellectual passions, creative dreams, and wonderful wide-eyed Utopian ideologies – dreams that included a brood of perhaps one dozen children. (“Cheaper by the dozen”, he’d grin.) By the time I was born (child #3 marking the ¼ mark toward their goal) a mere four years later, Winston had also forged his entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Indeed, he had created the Sleep Learning & Research Association – driving me home from the Hospital in the Hot Steel Ranger – a brand spanking new DeSoto station wagon, highly symbolic of his success as an independent businessman. This was also the vehicle in which our budding family would journey cross country (with a comfy a little trailer in tow), to settle in the natural wonderland of the Puget Sound, an ideal setting for their Brave New Turnbow World. There, in the beauty and mystical majesty of the Fishtrap, with music ringing the rafters, Jean and Winston completed their family. Six of us in all, and nearly a 7th, before nature determined that “cheaper by the half dozen”, might be better still. And I must say, despite parting company when dreams ebbed into realities (as they often do), their powerful spiritual synergy inspired their progeny to continue breathing life into the original visions, each in our own uniquely creative way. So although he became Avaton, I also send out my final farewell to Winston, my father, my spiritual mentor, my blood, my heart, and my soul. May you now sing at every octave, and rest in the comfort that the Turnbow symphony plays on.

2381205
Date: 5/26/2011 7:19:19 AM
From: Eric Turnbow
Message: Here is the lyrics to that great song I wrote for my Father! ENJOY! It is a true story! (Used by permission). “DAD” Written By Eric Turnbow Dad I need to tell you That you’re the only Father I can call my own Dad listen to me When I say that you’re the finest man I have ever known (chorus) And a son needs to tell his Father That he loves him every once in awhile And so I’m telling you exactly that today When I think of all the memories I have inside of me I simply have to smile There’s enough of them to cover the Milky Way Dad Dad Dad Dad Feeding bears in Yellowstone, Rock hunting in old San Antone Ferris wheels, and Disneyland, and old Mt Rushmore oh so very grand From the world’s fair called Expo, to the redwoods way down south I can sing about memories all day long, the words keep flowing out of my mouth (Repeat chorus) There’s enough of them to cover the Milky Way There’s enough of them to cover the Milky Way _____________________________________________

Here is a response about the song “Dad” as posted by The man it was written for. Mr A. W. Turnbow wrote: — Avaton Turnbow wrote: Many thanks for the thoughtful gifts, Eric. I really enjoy the Neil Young CD and hope the stations will give it plenty of air time.I also enjoyed your card and the artsy pic of me you did on the computer. But best of all, I really really enjoyed and appreciated you singing my favorite song, “Dad ” last night. (If I should ever pass over into spirit some day and the family holds some kind ceremony, my only request is that you sing that song for me one more time. No matter where I might be, I promise you that I will hear it and> think of you. You are a great son and I love you very much and am extremely proud of how you are handling your life. Love, Dad.

2381130
Date: 5/25/2011 7:05:43 PM
From: Steve Bremner
Message: I enjoyed the Turnbow household of the sixties when Windy took his kids and me to Tono to look for agates. Jon Marc and I stomped around the beaches and woodland areas of Fishtrap and Fishtrap Loop and had a grand old time. Long time ago.

2381121
Date: 5/25/2011 6:25:55 PM
From: Mady Lund
Message: The Lund family (Mady, Marc, Blake) are very grateful to Windy (Avaton) Turnbow for many year of great inter-family relations. My brothers and I often reminisce of early days our parents spent with Windy and Jean back in Omaha in the 50′s. My parents sent me out to spend the summer with the Turnbows in 1963 and I was later influenced to move to Washington from Nebraska because of that summer. That summer Windy drove his clan and me all over the Olympics and took us to the World’s Fair in Seattle (what was left of it by then). Windy was always very kind and affectionate to me and I felt a special feeling for him as my own dear father’s special friend. Windy (and Jean) served in loco parentis for me when I went off to my first year of college at the UW. I recall that my new roommates were awed at the spectacle of the long-haired Winston Turnbow who delivered me to the dorm. I was so pleased to have these temporary adoptive parents at such a critical time. I admire the life I have seen grow from Windy, who became Avaton. His family is amazing. As everyone says here, he raised one hell of a family with the help of Jean and Vicki. Avaton will be remembered as a loving kind man with a devilish sense of humor. God bless, and I will look forward to seeing him again some day on the other side. Love, Mady

2381120
Date: 5/25/2011 6:14:02 PM
From: Rebecca Horn
Message: I have enjoyed the pictures of all the Turnbows. I graduated HS with Miriam . Looks like you all have lots of love and family time, enjoy the outdoors, nature and pets. I’m sure your Dad helped instill all these good things in each of you, so in essence he will always be with you. God bless and Peace be with you all.

2381113
Date: 5/25/2011 5:39:54 PM
From: David Bjorkman
Message: I think a good measure of a man, is to look at his children. In this case I think can all agree that Winston succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. All strong independent citizens with a zest for life and concern for their fellow citizens. I know he was a proud man and followed his dreams. His kids have and will provide future generations of Turnbows that will live their own adventures and keep his spirit alive and well. The memories of him will live on in the stories we share and in the characteristics from him that the family holds dear. He has been called a patriarch, he was. Let his dream of a better life for all be an inspiration for all of us and by sticking together as a family may the world be the better place that he dreamt of.

2381111
Date: 5/25/2011 5:20:55 PM
From: Miriam Jayne Gash
Message: I only knew Avaton Winston Turnbow for a short time. The man I knew was such a gentle; mysterious; generous; courageous;and a loyal man. There are so many great fathers out there! He was the truest to “himself” and one of the most courageous men I knew! We miss ya and love ya eternally dad!

2381101
Date: 5/25/2011 3:54:10 PM
From: Evan Ogden
Message: I have great memories of working for CAC as a teenager after school and during the summer, collating literature, stuffing envelopes and painting Vikki and Avatons house. The thing I admired about AW was his gifts of encouragement and facilitation. I see how his encouraging spirit caused so much success and happiness in his children over the years. I think he was our band “London”‘s biggest fan and invested heavily in us in those early days. Peace to all of you who are imprinted with his legacy.

2381099
Date: 5/25/2011 3:49:10 PM
From: Daniel Kritner
Message: It’s always sad to see someone you know and love go, but the thing to remember is that Avaton is at peace now. I never met the man, but I know his son Eric. I can only imagine that he is as good-hearted as his son. Someone once asked me when the pain of loosing someone goes away, and I had to tell him that it never really does go away, but time has a way of making things better. Another thing to remember is that he’s really not dead. If there are memories that lie within your heart of him, he’s always alive.

2381094
Date: 5/25/2011 3:05:53 PM
From: Eric Turnbow
Message: I LOVE my Father Mr. Avaton Winston Turnbow, who is the proud patriarch of the Turnbow brood. I admire, respect, and cherish Him. He is the most important Man in My life. He has taught me how to live, save money, invest, pursue happiness, and introduced Me to the best music of all time the world has to offer. He has the absolute best advice in all orders of the Universe. My Dad is My Hero!!!!!!! Period! recent picture)….I LOVE my Father Mr. Avaton Winston Turnbow My Father has passed away this morning, Saturday, May 21, 2011. He was 83 and 11 months young! This is a somber day indeed, but life goes, and the world will continue to turn! My Father would insist upon it. I love Him dearly, and I always will! He was the best Father I could have ever hoped for. The world has lost an amazing and original Man. PEACE! Avaton Winston Turnbow (RIP) Born: June 20, 1927 Passed: May 21, 2011 (Dad left Us for the afterworld at 6:29 a.m.) It was a strange thing to, because about an earlier I was watching the tube and out of nowhere the power went out. There was no storm or inclement weather to cause this. It was a mystery. It was only out for a minute, and I got up to reset all the clocks and turn the computer back on. Looking back, I must assume that was the spirit of My father, the great Avaton Winston Turnbow calling out and saying goodbye to us all as he passes onto the next dimension, as only Dad could. It was no accident. He was breathing his last goodbye to Me. At the time I happened to be watching an old episode of “The Waltons”. A show about a large family full of love. I have been preparing myself for this moment, but somehow You never are ready. My thoughts and prayers go out to His widow Vikki Turnbow, and the rest of this Family of 6 children, 8 Grandkids, His CAC church and the Matriarch of our family, Jean Turnbow. Long live the memory of our father, The great Avaton Winston Turnbow! RIP! Dad left Us for the afterworld at 6:29 a.m.

2381057
Date: 5/25/2011 11:49:47 AM
From: Maria Chiechi
Message: The connection I have with Mr Turnbow is his beautiful children! I have always enjoyed being around them ever since I met them. Marilyn, Tom, Eric….Love you guys and thinking of you lots! Maria Chiechi

2381053
Date: 5/25/2011 11:19:22 AM
From: Marilyn
Message: My father was an incredible man and I am so very grateful that I was able to spend some time with him before he left this world. I am still reeling from this loss, but he will live on forever in my heart, mind and soul. Embrace the light dad and be at peace, because that light is love. Pure love.

2380996
Date: 5/24/2011 6:25:31 PM
From: Earl .M. Schaeffer
Message: It was nice to have experienced the gift he has given as CAC. With love Earl

________________________________________________

Thanks Eric! My request also included asking this question: Has anyone had any sort of post-mortum spiritual “encounter” with our father? If so, I’d love to hear the details.

Like · · Unfollow post · 5 hours ago

• • 

    Katherine PeilAs for myself, I’ve had several that captured the beauty and depth of our spiritual relationship, well captured in the picture I posted below.

    Like
  • 

    Eric TurnbowYes Katherine. On exactly 4 months to the day Our father entered My dream and spoke with Me. He said that was okay and exactly where he needs to be. To go on and enjoy my life and we will catch up later. Curiously He was seated on a bench, perhaps out @ Fishtrap even, sitting in-between Mom and Vikki both! I wok up with a smile on His face. he even smelled like dad, and He was the Older version. At least 50 or 60 with a beard. It was way cool.

    Like
  • 

    Eric TurnbowI have had another 5 dreams with Dad in them since. I do remember driving in My car with Him somewhere along the Oregon Coast. We were not saying a lot that I can remember butt I do know that I reached out and put My hand on His knee and told Him that it was a real treat to spend time with Him! It was as real as it gets! Really! AAAHHHH….!

    Like
  • 

    Eric Turnbow Of course on May 21, 2011 just after Dad passed He made contact. I was watching an episode of “The Waltons” on t.v. very early in the morning. This of course is a show about a large family in Virginia, with some Turnbow similarity! His spirit swooped on in and turned all the power off to My house.Off went the T.v. and I had to reset the clocks and cable box and was wondering why there was a power outage and there was no wind, rain or inclement weather. Well he was just saying “Goodbye” I learned later that morning. Very “Dad” I suppose!
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Katherine Peil 26 March 11:28 Lovely Chelsea! Ah the purity of the child – both of them.

Chelsea Peterson 25 March 18:32 Fletcher and I were going to the store. It was within days after Avaton had passed. I pulled into a spot, and was answering a text from Jesse when Fletch said, “Mommy.” Usually if I don’t get him out of his seat pretty quickly he will request it. So I turned, prepared to tell him that I would be right there. This is when he said, “Grampa Avaton is gone. He’s not here anymore.” And I told him that yes this was true. Then he went on to say, “He’s somewhere else and he’s happy! His head and his tummy don’t hurt anymore, and he’s like a little boy!” It gave me goose bumps. I asked him how he knew that, and he said that Grampa told him. ♥

Classic Shot of Winston Turnbow in 1957 Fishtrap Loop! Here is My father on His Anniversary! It’s Dad and Vikki! Here I am “Walking The Bear Dog” with My Father Summer of 2010

Avaton Winston Turnbow loved nature!

Dad was a lot of fun!

Incredible memorial Website for Avaton Winston Turnbow!

Dad with His Son Eric in 1962!  Awwwww!

Dad is pictured here with Daughter Marilyn, and My Mom, Jean Turnbow.

Pictured with Sons Eric, and Tom Turnbow Thanksgiving 2010

Dad, Just hanging by the River!

He loved His cat! 01-16-2012

Hanging @ My Yard Party in September 2010

Grandpa Turnbow! Christmas 2010…..

Dad with His Beloved Dog “Bear”. 04-28-2001 One of My Favourites Ever!

Avaton is taking a Breather @ Staircase……

(This is a  sketch I drew of My Father in 1965 @ The tender age of 4)!

I miss My Father a lot but continue to relish in the memories, and there are lots of them!