Appy Legendary Coach Passes Away

The last time I got to speak to Tom was about 2 years ago, maybe a bit more. It was at a local pub where I sometimes served as security. I had a blast. We talked about the past (there had been a highly publicized "dispute" between us many years ago) we talked about the present and we spoke of the future (who knew).

I think some were surprised to see us together, especially laughing and having more fun than should be legal :)

Tom was a great guy, a great coach and a great person. I was perhaps in a position to know better than most that he had a great heart. He was a tough guy with a heart of gold.

I guess the best tribute I can give him is to say that he cared, he really cared. Some of this is probably "fuzzy" to anyone else but I know exactly what it means.

Our last conversation started with dual apologies for some past events. I'm so sorry we weren't friends longer, I'm heartbroken.........

Mark

What a blow. We have all lost a truely great man. Although I can't say I knew him well enough to say we were friends, I am glad just for the chance to know him.

No life is any more or less important than another. No death is any more or less tragic than another. But once in a great while we are blessed with someone who just stands out. Someone who has the ability to touch others and have an inpact on their lives. Tom Turner was such a man. His loss will not be felt in his beloved Appalachia.

I'd like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the Turner family. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. God bless all of his family and friends.

As many tragedies come and go in this world, there is nothing that we can do except to accept that death is natural and inevitable, and that life will go on, even when the greatest of great people pass away.

Therefore, I'm not going to try to dig into a groundbreaking post, but I will say what I think needs to be said.

Tom Turner was a great coach.. probably one of the best I've ever known.. not personally, of course, but through football itself. The man excelled at everything that had to do with football. The success of the Appalachia Bulldog football team during his career is bewildering. Many state championships and many unforgotten memories have been forged - all of which have "Tom Turner" written all over them.

I wish everyone dealing with this to make it through without too much pain, although in this case it's almost impossible not to feel that we're missing something. It's only been a day, yet to me it already feels like a century.

At the same time, however, we can't keep ourselves down over this. Extraordinary men and women die every day all over the world, so we must find it within ourselves to move on even with the greatest of losses. I know I sound like a broken record by now, but to move on and keep fighting is probably what Tom would want for us all. I didn't know him personally, but just by observing the amazing football program he had together, you could almost know the man without even meeting him.

Go on with your lives and have no regrets, because Tom Turner will always live in Appalachia Bulldog football.

Dang, I hate to hear that about Coach Turner. His legend will not and has not died in his passing. The memories and stories will live with each person who he had an affect on. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Turner family. Oh yeah I have to say one of my favorite memories about Tom, is how he would pull into a game right at kickoff. Use to bug the [censored] out me when I played but I guess it was that intimidation thing.

From what I've been told, the visitation for Coach Turner will be held at the Appalachia H.S. gym on Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00, with the funeral service at 7:00. Burial will be Saturday at PV Memorial Gardens at 2:00.

Someone sent this to me today:

Death of an Epic

A town grieves, a community shocked, a district stunned
Tom Turner, Appalachia's pride has fallen.
Last look he was struggling from the sidelines
As a host of fans supported like the force of a wave,
Yelling "Bring it home","Bring it back home"
His moto: 3 yards and a cloud of dust
Strict Appy style
In his life he gained more than 3 yards
Definately kicked up some dust
Friday nights won't be the same in the small coal town
The smell will be the same; cut grass mixed with a few leaves
Floating on a cool breeze of on coming fall.
There will still be wins and there will still be loses.
Still be scrapy giants yielding their shields of yellow and blue.
The fans will still fill the stands. Still be proud
Still have that never-ending tradition
But something will be missing on Friday nights

Hate to hear this.... was a great man.. always played my best against his bulldogs...

sad day for us all....

You may have played on a team that was his opposition but This is bad.. not only was he a part of Appalachia football, but he was a symbol for Football in South West Va, and the entire state.. it just won't be the same seeing an Appalachia team without Tom Turner on the side lines..

Was suprised that Newscenter 5 gave the story at the very last part of their sports segment, kind of like "Oh, by the way...." Channel 11 news had it at the top story in their sports segment. At least one channel around here showed some respect.

Coach Turner, may you rest in peace.