David W. Turner

David Williamson Turner, 65, acclaimed photographer died of a heart attack on June 18, 2024, with his sister, Susan Turner McConnell, by his side. The two had just enjoyed a trip to Toronto to celebrate birthdays and retirement.

David grew up in McAlester, where his career was inspired by working for the second -generation family newspaper, the McAlester News Capital. He graduated from McAlester High School, attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Arkansas majoring in Music.

David left Oklahoma for Los Angeles to study photography. His attention to detail, keen sense of beauty and his uncanny ability to create photography with perfect lighting, sent him to New York and Milan to hone his skills. After years of fashion photography, in 1989, he settled in New York City as a photographer with Women’s Wear Daily and W Magazine where he was a requested photographer to Ralph Lauren for 15 years, Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan. His career at the magazine included photos for the magazine covers, as well as portraits that included then-Prince Charles, Lauren, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Oleg Cassini, Audrey Hepburn, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and Anna Wintour. In 2006, David joined Hearst Magazines. In 2008, his love of teaching his skill led him to the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Turner Falls, MA. He loved teaching in Maine during the summer and his last position, as visiting lecturer of Photography, at the Rochester Institute of Photography in New York. David was loved by all of his students and fellow professors.

David graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Empire State College. He loved golf, snow skiing, food, playing the trumpet and people. His energy and enthusiasm were electric. No matter where he lived, he loved his family visiting and was thrilled to take them shopping, on an odyssey to find their favorite cheeseburger and then on a cab ride at dark to see the sites in NYC. One of his favorite visitors in NYC was Wanda Bass, his neighbor in McAlester. They dined on grilled cheese sandwiches at the Viand and then he escorted her to make the largest purchase of Steinway pianos in the U.S. for Oklahoma City University.

David was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tom and Charlotte Williamson, Lowell and Lucile Turner, parents Fred and Barbara Turner, aunt Anne C. Turner and cousin, Holly Hefton.

The week before he died, David had just been with his family in Oklahoma City at the funeral of his cousin, a visit all are most grateful for.

David is survived by his sister Terry Turner Bragg and husband Dan of Mesquite Tx, sister Susan Turner McConnell and husband Mark of Norman. Niece Jennifer, children Alex and Josie, nephew Miles McConnell and son, Mike. Mark’s daughter Lindsay McGregor, husband Clay, children Addie, Baylee and Brayden. David was loved by his uncle, Richard Hefton and wife Rhonda, cousin Hilarie Blaney and husband Kevin, cousin Sam Hefton and wife Kathy, cousin Jordan Dean and the Blaney family.

The family is most appreciative of David’s friends, Shane, Clay and Kristy who have spent countless hours helping organize his work to be remembered for his contribution to this world.

David’s legacy is to help others and be kind.

Services are planned for September 23, 2024 at Rochester Institute of Technology from 5-7 PM in the William Harris Gallery Genette Building, 1 Lamb Memorial Dr.


Contributions may be made to: Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Lollypop Farm

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