James Gifford Turley

James Gifford Turley passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 8, 2020. He was born February 15, 1944 in Los Angeles, California. Shortly after his birth, he was adopted by Gifford and Catherine Turley. He was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where he attended West High School and joined the Air Force prior to graduating.
While serving our country, Jim was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. During his time at Ellsworth, he met and married Cheryl Balhorn of Sturgis, South Dakota. He received his High School diploma, a Bachelors Degree, and had 3 children while living in the Black Hills. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Westminster College. Jim and Cheryl moved to Bountiful, Utah in 1979 to raise their children. They divorced in 1986.
Jim married Demetria Ward and resided in South Ogden, Utah with her and her two children. They later divorced.
Jim worked as an accountant with Sperry Univac, Unisys, Flameco, and Neways among others. He was a charismatic, passionate man and always had a “saying” or a joke to lighten the mood. Most remember Jim as easy to talk to and fun to have around. He made many friends along the way and will be missed.
Jim enjoyed his family, especially his grandkids, and was seen at many of their baseball, soccer, and basketball games. He also loved his son’s dog Solstice, as they kept each other company for the majority of the last decade.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother (Catherine), father (Gifford), and son (Chad). He is survived by his brother John, daughter Jenni (Todd), daughter-in-law Audrey (Chad), son Travis (Brooke), and grandkids Josie, Colton, Chase, Marshall, Sara, Bridger, Olivia, and Fisher.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at Veterans Cemetery, 17111 South Camp Williams Rd. Riverton, Utah. A viewing will be held that morning from 10:00 – 11:00 am at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road West Jordan, Utah.
To participate in the services from your own home via livestream, please view instructions below:
STREAMING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Joining by computer
a. Go to zoom.us in any internet browser
b. Click “join meeting”
c. Enter the meeting id – 8015661249
d. A box will open saying “https://zoom.us wants to open this application”. Click “open zoom”
e. Click “Join with Computer Audio”
f. Click “Mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral services
2. Joining by phone or iPad
a. Download the Zoom app
b. Open the app and select “join a meeting”
c. Enter the meeting id – 8015661249
d. Select “join without video”
e. Select “Call using internet audio”
f. Select “mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral services.
Service Information
Viewing December 18, 2020 at 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123





Graveside Service
December 18, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Utah Veterans Cemetery, 17111 South Camp Williams Road (1700 West), Riverton, Utah