Harold "Hal" Turner

Lieutenant Colonel Harold W. Turner (Retired), 70, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Harold Ward Turner was born on February 15, 1955, to Clayton and Bonnie (Bolte) Turner in Maquoketa, Iowa. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Technology, with minors in Safety Education and Coaching, from the University of Northern Iowa in 1978. In 2005, he completed a Master of Science in Health Science – Emergency and Disaster Management from Touro University International in Cypress, California, reflecting his continued commitment to public service and preparedness.

His college decision was to attend the University of Northern Iowa. He wrestled for the legendary and Hall of Fame coach Chuck Patten. During the years that he wrestled and competed for the panthers his teams always finished in the top three in the nation at the NCAA division 2 National Tournament. Specifically, he was a part of the team that won the national team title in 1975. The 1974-1975 team was also inducted into the UNI athletics Hall of Fame in 2014, and The Glen Brand wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa in 2023. Individually Hal was also a conference champion and a NCAA qualifier. Along with his dedication to wrestling Hal was also awarded the recognition of Outstanding American from Iowa from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014.

Before embarking on a full-time military career, Hal dedicated 14 years to education, serving as a high school Industrial Arts teacher. During the first seven of those years, He was a head wrestling coach at Wayne of Corydon, DeWitt Central, and Cedar Rapids Washington. Hal coached state champions, state place winners, and future All Americans. His love for wrestling and how it impacted him lead him to inspire student athletes and give them the same opportunities to be successful on and off the mat.

His military journey began in 1982 when he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard as a traditional Guardsman. He completed Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in 1983 and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in 1984. In 1986, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Officer Candidate School at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, graduating as the top honor graduate of his class.

Turner’s professional military education was extensive. He completed the Signal Officer Basic Course (1987), Ordnance Officer Advanced Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (1994), the Combined Arms and Services Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1995), the Support Operations Course at Fort Lee, Virginia (1995), and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth (1999–2000).

Throughout his distinguished military career, Lt. Colonel Turner held a wide range of leadership and staff positions. From 1986 to 1988, he served as a Platoon Leader, followed by his role as Company Commander of Company B, 234th Signal Battalion in Clinton, Iowa (1988–1992). He then served as Battalion S1 Personnel Officer with the 234th Signal Battalion in Cedar Rapids (1992–1993), entering full-time active duty with the Iowa Army National Guard. Under Turner’s Command he earned him the General Douglas MacArthur award for leadership – The first to do so in the Iowa National Guard.

From 1993 to 1996, he was assigned as S-2/3 and Officer in Charge of the 334th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 34th Infantry Division in Davenport, Iowa. He then served as Support Operations Officer at the National Maintenance Training Center (now the Sustainment Training Center) at Camp Dodge, Johnston, Iowa (1996–2001), and later assumed command of the center from 2001 to 2003.

From 2003 to 2008, he served as Director of Maintenance for the Iowa Army National Guard General Staff at State Headquarters. Between 2005 and 2006, he also held dual responsibilities as Commander of the 734th Maintenance Battalion at Camp Dodge. From 2008 to 2009, he served as the Maintenance Subject Matter Expert for the Army National Guard, supporting 13 Regional Training Sites for Maintenance across the country.

In 2009, Lt. Colonel Turner deployed to Iraq the 34th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division South, serving as a Logistics Planner in the G5 Plans Section in Basra during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Turner’s high level of professionalism and subject matter expertise earned him the Bronze Star.

Post Military: Hal couldn’t stay retired long. 2010 -2014 Hal served as a project specialist for Iowa Homeland Security and Disaster Management working alongside the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Public Defense. His role was assessing damages incurred during State and Federal Proclaimed Disasters - creating project worksheets for repairs and once funding from FEMA back to the State agencies requesting support.

From 2014-2016 Hal worked in the Contracting field for Northrop Grumman (Defense Contractor, MTC Gowen), 2016-2019 Tapestry Solutions (Defense Contractor, MTC Gowen). Serving as a Doctrinal Training Team Subject Matter Expert in Logistics and Sustainment. Responsible for training US Army Brigade and Battalion war fighting battle staffs in the art and science of planning, preparing and conducting Army operations. His efforts to train US Army battle staffs in planning logistics and sustainment support operations in order to fix, fuel, move, man and sustain the fighting force in any operational environment.

From 2022-2023 Hal took his 35 years of experience to be the Site Manager – Mission Command Training Support Program at Camp Dodge. His comprehensive understanding of Doctrinal Training for US Brigades and Battalions allowed him to manage a team. The Primary training focus and function is to utilize this team of Subject Matter Experts to implement and enforce US Army Doctrine to key officers at the Brigade and Battalion level.

Hal was never in short supply of finding a hobby. Hal was an Eagle Scout in his younger years that brought great memories, and skill sets he used for the duration of his life. Hal was an avid wood worker learning a lot of his skills and passion from his father Clayton. He had a saying that when he was building something “When in doubt build it stout.” Hal shared some of his fondest memories with his friends and family on hunting and fishing trips notably fly fishing in Colorado. Hal embarked on an automotive kit car journey - building the “Gatsby.” This was not for the faint of heart as it took many trials and errors and over 35 years to complete. Hal became and avid horseman with the Wild Wood Hills Veterans group competing in competitions in Ft. Reno Oklahoma.

Hal was married to his wife, Jana, for 46 years – His biggest supporter, unwavering compass, and best friend. Together, they have two sons, Grant and Brett. Grant continued in Hal’s footsteps in with his passion for wrestling and coaching. Grant wrestled for Iowa State University and has coached for Grand View University since the inception of the program in 2008. Grant continues his passion for wrestling in his career with working for Athlete Performance Solutions and Nike wrestling. Sharing the love of wrestling around the world. Brett continued the family legacy of service, deploying to Afghanistan with Alpha Company, 1-133 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, as a 13F Forward Observer during Operation Enduring Freedom (2010–2011). Hal was always proud of his sons as they coached together at Grand View University and both were inducted into the Grand View Athletic Hall of fame.

He is survived by his wife, Jana Turner; sons, Grant Turner and Brett Turner; brother, Tom (Ann) Turner, sister, Joan Turner, cousins John (Jane) Swieter, Jim (Kasey) Swieter, Doug (Sheila) Weir, Candy (Kenny) Burmeister, and Kris (Bob) Eaton.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clayton and Bonnie Turner; and his son, Thad Wilson Turner.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday, July, 25, 2025 at Westchester Evangelical Free Church, 4919 NW Aurora Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon after. The family invites you to a time of sharing your special memories of Hal from 12-1:30 p.m.
Burial, with full military honors, will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 26 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Maquoketa, IA.

Memorial contributions may be directed to:
Panther Wrestling Club – University of Northern Iowa Wrestling – Cedar Falls, IA
Wild Wood Hills - specifically Veterans Group – St. Charles, IA
Westchester Evangelical Free Church- Des Moines, IA

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