John "Geoffrey" Turnbull

UPDATE: A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Harvest Church, 5008 Linde Lane in DeForest, Wisconsin, starting at 1:00 pm with a service at 2:00 pm by Pastor Ken Van Horn and a reception to follow.  

Cross Plains—John "Geoffrey" Turnbull  passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023 with family by his side. He was born on January 16, 1947, the second son of Gerald and Mary Jane Turnbull (Beck).

He graduated from West High School where he participated in numerous track and field events and where he excelled in the high jump. During the early 1960’s, Geoff was a very proud member of the Madison Explorer Scouts, Drum and Bugle Corps until he “aged-out” in 1965. As their Drum Major, he traveled around the country participating in parades and drum corps competitions, and the friendships that were formed during those years would last a lifetime.

Through the years, Geoff fell in love with and married two wonderful women, and although those relationships would not be permanent, they remained friends and continued to share the love of their children.

Geoff would later meet his best friend, Julie (nee Anderson) and after a long courtship, they  married in Montego Bay, Jamaica on his birthday, (so he could never forget their anniversary). Geoff and Julie lived a quiet life together making many happy memories traveling to Hawaii, Paris, Las Vegas and when they could, to tropical islands. They remained inseparable until Julie’s sudden death in 2019. They loved watching the NCAA basketball tournaments, playing cards, playing the slots, and watching Chris and Rachel on MSNBC. Geoff was an enthusiastic voter who encouraged everyone to vote in every election, as he grew more passionate about equality and diversity.

Geoff’s career path was ever evolving, but it was his love of cars that finally led him to work in the auto sales industry. Through the years, he worked at several different dealerships in/around the Madison area, and he spoke with great fondness about the men and women with whom he had worked closely. Following his retirement as sales manager from Zimbrick of Madison, he clearly missed the camaraderie and friendships that he had formed there.

Geoff was intelligent, analytical, a hard worker, read several different newspapers daily, had a great sense of humor, a strong sense of fairness, was fiercely private and he will be missed by those with whom he made a lasting connection.

Although Geoff struggled to maintain a close relationship with the family he leaves behind, we know that he was immensely proud of his sons, Sean Geoffrey (Anne) Turnbull, Nathan J. Turnbull (Steven McKenzie), Jerry David Turnbull and his son, Vaughn, Michael John Turnbull (Lena) and children, Daniel and Veronica, Stepson Sean Michael Quinn and Stepdaughter, Natasha A Quinn and her son Jack.

Geoff also leaves behind a brother, Robt James Turnbull (Linda) and his sister, Judith Turnbull as well as many nieces and nephews.

Geoff was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Julie Turnbull (nee Anderson); his brother Wm Bruce Turnbull, and nephew, James Matthew Turnbull

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the nurses and physicians at St. Mary’s Hospital who provided exceptional and compassionate care for Geoff.

There will be no funeral at this time. Instead, a Celebration of Life will be held and announced at a later date.