Appy Legendary Coach Passes Away

Very sad day. Waking up and hearing this news first thing in this morning absolutely shocked me. It actually took about 10 minutes to kick in while I thought about it getting ready for work.

This man was a huge part of my life for 5 years, he was there everyday teaching, motivating. The other day I thought about him not being on the sidelines this coming year, I wondered if he would sit in the stands and watch the games. I thought it would be weird to see that. Though I guess the way it is now seems right. Maybe he was never meant to sit in the stands. I guess you could say he will be watching from the best seat in the house.

I can not begin to express how much that man meant to me....this is by far the hardest loss ive had to face....he took care of all of his players like we were his own children....and i honestly looked up to him as you would a father....and im sure if u asked any other of his former players they would say the same........

Coach Turner will live on in our hearts forever.....

Man....
I was informed of this by my dad after school was over yesterday. Dang. I'm still having a hard time believing. God bless not only the Turner family , Appy football team, Appy community, and AHS. But the whole region of SWVA.

Man...

Tom's passing is being mourned Internationally. I am currently living in Australia but my home is Appalachia.

Debbie, Travis, Amanda, Amber, and all of Tom's family, I pray that God surrounds you all with his loving arms to help you through this difficult time.

Mary

I just wanted to say as a mom of 2 current Appy football players that our lives will forever be changed. Tom meant the world to my sons Sammy and Brandon. They are more determined than ever to carry on the Bulldawg pride in Tom's memory. I agree with many of you here on the board, Tom taught our boys more than just football, the life lessons they will never forget. To the Turners our hearts are with you.

The Jessee Family

Tom Turner, one of the greatest football coaches ever to coach in SWVA. Didn't know him personally, but always had respect for him. The one thing I liked about him was he would always show up right at the last minute with his team when they had a away game.

To the Turner Family, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I cant explain how much Coach Turner meant to the town of Appalachia, To the school, and to all the kids he coached.

My g/f was here when I got the news, and said that she thought something had happened to one of my parents, or brothers. What she didnt understand, is that it pretty much did. Anyone who's ever played for coach turner feels that way about him...He was like a 2nd father, or even the only father figure for some. He was tough on us, and pushed us to the limit...But we were always in great shape, always prepared for the upcoming season, upcoming opponent, and prepared for Life after highschool. We all knew that if we worked as hard as we did for him, that there was nothing we couldnt do. We could accomplish anything.

I was once told by 2 former Bulldogs, who joined the navy, and army, that their bootcamps where a walk in the park compared to Coach Turners 2-a-days. He prepared all of us, for whatever we decided to do, after highschool. He installed an unmatched work ethic in us, he made sure we stayed out of trouble, and if we needed something, he'd make sure we had it.

I think I speak for anyone who has ever put the pads on for coach Turner, be it 1 year, or for 4 years.
Coach Turner was our Coach. He was the best of motivators, The best of Coaches, and the best of friends. Though to the majority of us, he wasnt family....We think of him as family. This phrase is perfect for this situation.
"Once a Dawg, A dawg 4 life"

My prayers our with the Turner family.

Tom Turner was a great man and coach. I played against his bulldogs for 4 yrs and coached against him for 3 years. I spoke to him several times while I coached at Pound and he always made a point to give me advice and to tell me how good of a coach he thought I was and was gonna be. Hearing that from a man who is admired by everyone across the state really meant a lot to me. He was, is, and always will be an inspiration to me. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, i am from Pound and i almost cried when i heard the news of his passing.
I will never foreget my senior year, 2000; it was the regular season game at Appy, we beat them in overtime 22-16. He came over to me after the game and shook my hand and told me i played a great game, but just before he walked away he said that was truely the dog and cat fight of the ages. He was an inspiration to anyone that knew him, wether you played against him or played for him, coached with him or coached against him, cheered for him or cheered against him, YOU STILL HAD TO RESPECT HIM!

I didn't get to stay for all the service. But i did what i promised Travis i would.

That is something his father taught us. Keep your word to those who depend on you.
Well i did that.
This evening as i don't know how many come by but many. Probably a couple thousand if not more, i learned what the following meant.

If a person can touch or have an impact on one life they have done something.

Tonight. I seen hundreds if not thousands pay their respect to Tom Turner and his family. I must say i was not amazed. As i knew Tom had always touched many. As a coach, a father figure and just as a friend.

Tonight i watched as his son, Travis took over and took care of the family, something Tom would of known would of happened, but still been extremely proud of.
Not that he needed a reason to wonder.

Travis today your father looks down and see's what he has done. Not only did you learn from him but so did many others.

From a friend to a long time friend and coach.

You will never know the exact impact you had on this area and around VA.

Never will you be forgotten. Tonight only enhanced your true legacy and legendary history. As i watched former coaches, present coaches, former players, and friends and just those who admired you, pay their respect and their gratitude.

As was the saying if i can touch only one life in my life time. I have accomplished much. Well Coach Turner. Tonight showed you accomplished much more than most could hope.

Thanks Coach and my eternal friend. We never ever said the words good bye, it was i will see you or talk to you later.

I will see you or talk to you later, my coach and my life long friend.

Not to sound cold, because thats truthfully not what I want to be

Just hope someone has a bit more detail of the services

I was figuring it would be truthfully amazing to be at.

I mean that in the best of ways as well