Harmon Turan

Harmon Eugene Turan, age 83, and a life long resident of the Gulf Coast, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2009, surrounded by his family and friends.
Mr. Turan was the owner and President of Turan-Foley Chevrolet-Cadillac-Buick in Gulfport, a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner, served as King of the Triton Carnival Ball and a past member and Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge. He served for a number of years on the Board of Directors for the Gulfport Boys and Girls Club and was a member of the American Legion. Mr. Turan served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a coxswain's mate on the USS Ticonderoga.
Harmon Turan got his start in the car business in 1948, first with Keyes-Dorman Motor Co. on 25th Ave until 1958, then Dumas Miller Motor Co. in New Orleans, then returning to the coast to work another 12 years at Jay-Jay Chevrolet. In 1971, Mr. Turan went into business with Gerry Lane in Bay St. Louis forming Turan-Lane Chevrolet and 12 years later, the pair purchased Jay-Jay Chevrolet-Buick in Gulfport and Jay-Jay's became Turan-Lane Chevrolet-Buick. In 1991, Turan's son, Rick Foley, bought an interest in the firm and the business' name changed to Turan-Foley. In 1992, the old Keyes-Dorman property, Watkins Olds, was purchased from Betty Watkins and became part of the Turan-Foley Motor Co. In 2002, the business moved to its current location on Hwy 49 N in Gulfport.
Mr. Turan will be remembered for his generous spirit and his passion for life. He was of the Catholic faith and the family wishes to express special thanks to his devoted physician, Dr. Richard Tilley and caregiver Ann Power.
He is survived by his wife, Sammie Summerlin Turan, Gulfport, his children, Linda (Wayne) Davis Crocker, Birmingham, AL, Debbie (Scott) Landry, Gulfport, Norma (C.J.) Ladner, Slidell, LA, Carol Foley, Tulsa, OK, Richard (J.J.) Foley, Long Beach, and Mike Dubuisson, Baton Rouge, LA, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, longtime friends, Homer Ray Dedeaux, Ed Joe, and Bill Rivenbark, and a special friend and caretaker, Ulysses Henry, Jr.
Visitation will be from 5 - 8 pm Monday, August 3, 2009 at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport and also Tuesday from 10 - 11 am. The funeral service will be Tuesday at 11 am in the funeral home chapel.
Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
The family requests that memorials be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Mr. Turan.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com