Michael David Turk

Mike Turk, 65, of Stillwater passed from this life on April 18, 2016. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a memorial service celebrating his life will be held at University Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 1:00pm.
Michael David Turk was born on July 11, 1950 in Collinsville, OK to Harold and Evelyn (DeLong) Turk. He was raised and attended school in Collinsville where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. He spent several summers working with some of his friends in the oil patch for Cardinal Pipeline Company. Mike graduated from Collinsville High with the Class of 68 and enrolled at Oklahoma State University, where he met and married Karen Kaye Smola. Mike graduated from OSU with a Bachelors of Education and continued his education by earning a Masters of Education Administration from Northeastern State University.
In 1972, Mike accepted a position as a teacher, bus driver, and baseball/basketball coach at Beggs Public Schools. He served as the elementary principal, bus driver, and basketball coach at Keifer Public Schools and as teacher, coach, and assistant principal at Sperry Public Schools. In the early 80s Mike took his first position as the high school principal and athletic director at Collinsville Public Schools. In 1991, he relocated to Stillwater to become the assistant principal at Stillwater High School and he served as the longest serving high school principal in the history of Stillwater Public School (1992-2006).
Mr. Turk was a passionate educator who went out of his way to treat both the faculty and staff as equals. He would often tell his children to make sure to be kind to the secretaries and custodians, as they are truly the ones who run the school. His appreciation for music and fine arts led him to take steps to make sure that SHS performing arts programs were as successful and well funded as SHS athletics programs. Mike also led the effort to use school bonds to remodel, rebuild, and modernize the high school and he championed the effort to build the Stillwater High School Performing Arts Center, one of his proudest achievements at SHS. During his tenure, Stillwater High ranked high nationally and received several awards for high test scores. Mike was a kind and generous man who knew how to get things done. He garnered the respect of his faculty by being empathetic and taking time to really listen to their concerns and putting himself in their shoes before offering sound advice and well thought out solutions.
During his free time, he enjoyed fishing, bird hunting, reading history books, and going to the lake. He was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan and he appreciated quality music and Ken Burns documentaries. Mike was a lighthearted humorist who used his clever wit to lighten the mood and his satirical stories to bring a smile to the faces of those he loved. He had a special way of communicating with others that built them up and equipped them to see the best in themselves and others. Although Mike had great success during his professional career, he always considered his family to be his greatest achievement. He was a dedicated father who made it a priority to attend his kids functions and sporting events. Mike was happiest when he was surrounded by his grandchildren and he made it a point to keep up with their lives, often calling to talk about the achievements of their favorite athlete or sports teams.
Mike Turk was a caring educator, a thoughtful administrator, and a loving family man who will be missed by all who knew him and his legacy of selfless dedication will live on through the lives of the many students and teachers who lives he touched during his amazing journey.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his three children: Jason Turk and wife Kasie of Bixby; Joe Turk of Stillwater, and Jami (Turk) Marion and husband Heath of Texas. 8 grandchildren: Ashlyn Turk, Ryen Turk, Abbigayle Marion, Trajan Turk, Hannah Marion, Gracie Turk, Emmaline Marion, and Alexander Marion. Three siblings: Sunni Ellis, Gatlyn Turk, and Hunter Turk. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mikes name to Stillwater Public Schools in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075. Donations will be used for the Performing Arts program.