Michael Adrian Turner

EAST WENATCHEE - Mike Turner, a local contractor who had a hand in many of the Wenatchee Valley's most iconic and defining structures, died at his home in East Wenatchee Sunday. He was 70. Turner, an East Wenatchee resident since 1976, was hired to overhaul the Pipeline Pedestrian Bridge over the Columbia River in 1984 that later allowed development of the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail. In 1989, he was chosen to build the creative and popular concrete water fountain at the Wenatchee Convention Center. His most recent accomplishment was the retro exterior metal shell that transformed a dilapidated warehouse into Wenatchee's newest destination attraction, Pybus Market. Turner and his company, Creative Architectural Metals, LLC, worked on construction projects all over the Pacific Northwest, but his greatest pride came from the projects that contributed to the Wenatchee Valley, said his son, Jeff Turner of Dallas. His company replaced the original wood planking on the Columbia River Bridge - known now as the Pipeline Bridge (it was the first vehicle bridge built over the Columbia, in 1908) - with a concrete pad built nearly 100 feet above the river. The work had to be done without interruption of the Highline Canal pipeline that brings irrigation water to East Wenatchee. Completion of the project made it possible to link both sides of the river for pedestrians and bicycle riders and development of the Loop Trail. Turner built the convention center fountain in 1989, using innovative concrete construction techniques to contrast sharp angles with flowing water. His company's work on Pybus Center this summer was his final job and one that was especially meaningful to him, his son said. It was his final job as he was battling cancer for the past several months. "He was hobbling around or there in his wheelchair, making sure things got done right. It was a long, tough battle, but he got it done," Jeff Turner said. "He didn't give up, that's for sure," said Mike Walker, owner of Eagle Group transport companies who donated close to $3 million to resurrect the old E.T. Pybus Co. steel plant into the Pybus Center. "He was very sick during the project, but was always out there rain or shine." Turner's first venture in local business was the custom cabinet shop he opened shortly after moving his family from Tucson, Ariz., arriving in East Wenatchee July 4, 1976. The business grew into a general construction company that built dozens of buildings throughout North Central Washington. His Turner Construction and later Matco Industries specialized in banks and other smaller commercial buildings. Later, Turner specialized in large commercial roofing, including creative metal features for the Cave B Inn near The Gorge Amphitheater near George, the Gateway Theater in Olds Station and the Front Street Park Gazebo in Leavenworth. He and wife Kay celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary Aug. 17. Survivors include Kay and their children, Jeff; Scott Turner and Stacie Herrin, both of East Wenatchee, and 11 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 20th at East Wenatchee First Baptist Church. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel.

Michael Adrian Turner

February 17, 1943 - September 15, 2013