Tyler Turkington

Tyler Turkington, a long time Park City, Utah resident, lost his life on June 8 in a tragic accident on the North Fork of the Flathead River near Polebridge. Tyler was born Aug. 20, 1984 in Houston, Texas. He moved to Salt Lake City at age 2 but spent most weekends in Park City, until becoming a full time Park City resident in 1996. Tyler was an avid skier and mountain biker. He enjoyed reading and tried to make time for a little fly fishing but always made time to help a friend whenever needed. Never one to be impressed by or desirous of the material trappings of life, Tyler's love and passion was always for the outdoors and the adventures waiting there.

After graduating from Park City High School, Tyler attended classes at the University of Utah and eventually made his way to the Bay Area of California but soon returned to Park City because he "missed the mountains." Tyler remained in Park City until early 2013 when he moved to northwest Montana where he spent his winters in Whitefish working and skiing the surrounding backcountry. When the snow stopped flying, Tyler would relocate to Polebridge, , just across the North Fork River from the remote Polebridge entrance to Glacier National Park. Tyler loved Polebridge like he loved no other place. With ready access to Glacier Park and the surrounding wilderness areas, Tyler spent his summers kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, camping and fishing (with his beloved dog, Chaka, in tow whenever possible). In between adventures, Tyler lived and worked at the Polebridge Mercantile along with others who had the same love and passion for the outdoors. Tyler's co-workers at "The Merc" truly became his extended family and their love and kindness have been invaluable in helping our family deal with our loss.

The words heard most often in describing Tyler from those in Polebridge who knew him best were "kind," "caring," "always positive," and "so happy with his life." Indeed, Tyler lived life on his terms and lived it to the fullest. When the time came for Tyler to complete his journey on this earth, it is a true blessing that his journey's end came in the place he loved, doing what he loved with those he truly cherished. For that we are so grateful. Tyler is survived by parents Brent and Debby Turkington; brothers Barret and Lucas; and his grandmother Shirley Murray.

Tyler's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mountain Trails Foundation (mountaintrails.org), Park City, Utah and/or the Glacier Institute Big Creek Youth Camps (glacierinstitute.org), Kalispell. Both are organizations that share values and ideals important to Tyler. Donations can be made directly to either organization at their website. Alternatively, donations can be made to the Tyler Turkington Fund at any US Bank location or by mailing your donation to US Bank, 1514 Park Ave, Park City, UT 84068. All contributions to the Tyler Turkington Fund will be donated to Mountain Trails and Glacier Institute.

Please join Tyler's family and friends in a celebration of life, Sunday, July 12, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. on the upper deck at Snow Park Lodge, Deer Valley Resort, Park City, UT.†