David Kelly Turley Sr.

The Man, the Myth, the Legend has left us. David (Dave) Kelly Turley, Sr passed away on Sunday May 3, 2026. A heroic Vietnam Vet, his exposure to Agent Orange caused many health issues in his last few years and he endured each one with dignity, grace and courage.

Dave was born in South Charleston, WV on October 7, 1947, to Ruth and Earl Turley. The youngest of four boys, he looked up to and adored his three older brothers.

Dave was drafted into the Army and served a year in 1968 as a combat infantryman. His time in Vietnam would shape the rest of his life and the same courage he showed in the war, would show up time and time again.

He met Sharon Kay McAllister in January of 1969. They were engaged in April and married in August. Their marriage of 56 years was an inspiration to all who knew them. They welcomed son, David Kelly Turley, Jr followed by their daughter, Amy Dawn (Turley) Greenwell. His children were a source of great joy and pride.

Dave worked for Union Carbide, Linde, and Praxair in Procurement and Investment Recovery - which took him and his family from WV to Deer Park, TX, Avon Lake, OH and East Amherst, NY. He settled with Sharon in his final stop in Surfside Beach, SC. Dave and Sharon always loved the beach, and they found their home “Thistledew” in a cul-de-sac filled with wonderful friends and neighbors. 

Dave was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, and spent many years involved in youth sports in various communities he lived in. He was a coach, referee, and even a hot dog vendor - if it needed done, he did it! His love of sports continued throughout his life, and he enjoyed following his grandchildren's sports from afar via Gamechanger.

Dave loved food. Eating it, looking at it on his phone (which he also loved), perusing menus at restaurants, and talking about it with everyone. He loved to golf and fish. He loved music and TV and always watched the #1 shows on each network. He also enjoyed being an “unofficial tour guide” to all who had the pleasure of riding in a car with him. But more than anything - he loved and adored his wife Sharon and his children, grandchildren and extended family and friends. Dave was Dad or BFD to David and Amy but also “Dad” or “Uncle Dave” to Carl, Gary, Dee, Maureen, Dawn, Angie, Martin, Jennifer, Jil, Ed and Michael. Dave was Paw Paw to Drew, Malia and Wyatt but also a “Paw Paw” to many others: Quade, Maura, Madeleine, Carleigh, John, Wes, Austin, Clay and Tyler and many lovable and cherished “grand dogs”. He was an awesome father-in-law to Tracy and Paul and loved them like his own. He was a devoted brother-in-law to Penny & Roberta. Nana always said he was her favorite “loser”. Dave loved out loud and, in return, others loved him well and told him often.

Dave is survived by his wife Sharon of 56 years of Surfside Beach, SC; son David and wife Tracy and their children Drew David, Malia May and Wyatt Weston of Thousand Oaks, CA; daughter Amy (Greenwell) and husband Paul of Avon Lake, OH; his loyal companion Gunther, the labradoodle and devoted, lifelong friends June and Herold Harter.

He is preceded in death by his brothers Ralph Edward (1984), John William (2005), and Morris Earl (2019), Mother Ruth Edna (2000), and Father Earl Vivian (2000).

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in South Carolina, details to follow. Dave would like everyone to remember him with happy tears and laugh about times you spent with him. If you’d like to honor him, please kindly donate to the Fisher House in Charleston, SC at https://friendsoffisherhousecharleston.org/donation

To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guestbook, please visit www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Service (843.651.1440) of Murrells Inlet is assisting the family with arrangements.