Frank Turman

Frank Turman, 78, Finally Deploys to the Great Beyond (With Wine in Hand)

Frank Turman, aged 78, or wherever the RV was parked that week, has officially gone AWOL from Earth on June 16, 2025, likely with a glass of Cabernet in one hand and a travel brochure for the afterlife in the other. A proud Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 (retired), Frank served in Vietnam and somehow survived both war and raising kids—arguably in that order of difficulty.

A master of helicopters, hard opinions, and holiday road trips, Frank was the kind of man who could fix anything, lecture you on proper tire pressure, and still be the life of the party (especially if the party involved Merlot and someone asking about "the good old days").

He is survived by his loving wife, Julie, who patiently endured 55 years of hearing, "Back when I was in the Army..." and "Don’t touch the thermostat." Together, they traveled far and wide in their beloved RV, often without GPS and always without a solid plan. It was their version of romance.

Frank was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—titles he wore proudly, and occasionally with the air of a general reviewing troops. He passed on a love of family, freedom, and yelling at other drivers who didn’t use their turn signals.

His hobbies included traveling, wine tasting (he said it was “for the culture”), lecturing strangers on military history, and reminding everyone how he once parallel parked a 43-foot RV in a space made for a Prius.

Though he has taken his final journey, possibly to a celestial campground with full hook-ups and bottomless chardonnay, his stories, love, and stubbornness will live on in those who knew him.

Frank didn’t believe in long goodbyes—just a firm handshake, a wink, and the words, "Keep the engine running." So, we salute you, Chief. Mission complete. You are officially off duty.

In lieu of flowers, please send wine. Or better yet, drink some in his honor and tell a wildly exaggerated story. He would’ve wanted it that way. In all seriousness, in lieu of flowers please send donations to the University of Mary, Roy and Mable Small Scholarship

Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 AM, Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck. To view the service livestream, click this link Corpus Christi - YouTube

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Monday, June 23 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM.

Burial will be held at 12:00 NOON, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.