Date: 5/31/25 1:26 pm From: Lori Conrad via groups.io <lconrad6853...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] [LACoBirds] Steve Turley.
We are also sad to hear this news. Our hearts go out to Becky in this time
of grief.
The last time we saw Steve and Becky, since we moved to Portal, AZ was in
2018, at the great Howard King’s memorial service. I remember we were
birding before the ceremony and looking at Lawrence’s Goldfinches together.
Now whenever I see one, I’ll think of Steve. And Howard, of course.
Lori and Mark Conrad
On Sat, May 31, 2025 at 12:41 PM Jim Moore via groups.io <moorebirder=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> It brings great sadness to announce the death of our friend Steve
> Turley. Becky asked me to post this message as she is grieving and needing
> privacy. Steve died of a stroke last Monday while hospitalized and treated
> for blood clots.
> Steve was well known in our birding community and valued due to his sharp
> wit, large size, friendly smile and extraordinary birding skills. His
> Superman eyes always were the first to get on the bird. I was always
> amazed at his ability spot a bird 200 yards away without the aid of
> binoculars and tell us its location and species.
> Steve was taken much too soon. Born February 12, 1950. He was the second
> of four brothers. His entire life was a succession of exciting jobs. He
> started as a young man in the Air Force assigned to a weather
> reconnaissance crew who flew into hurricanes. From there he served over 20
> years as a Los Angeles police sergeant. When he retired, he became a golf
> pro. He often told stories about the many young people he taught and what
> good golfers they became. Added to this, Steve was also an avid bass
> fisherman competing in several tournaments often winning big prize money.
> And, he had time to become an outstanding birder. Debbie and I first met
> Becky in 2007 while chasing after a Greater Peewee in Griffith Park. She
> introduced us to Steve a few weeks later and this led to a friendship of
> many years, starting with a year end trip to Bosque del Apache, then
> twitching throughout the state or taking road trips to remote locations
> throughout the world. Most notable was 5 weeks together birding Australian
> top to bottom. And, there were many trips to Piute Ponds which would
> usually end at the 19th hole where we would stop on the way home at Maria
> Bonita’s for tacos, salsa, Blue Moon and a lot of laughs.
> He will be more than missed.
> Jim Moore
> Santa Clarita
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