It is with great sadness that the family of (Stephen Eugene) Kwame Turner announce his unexpected passing on July 9, 2017, at the age of 74 years.

A native of Seattle, Kwame was a proud graduate of Garfield High School, and graduated with a degree in oceanography from the University of Washington. He also served in the United States Navy.

He worked for the National Marine Fisheries, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and retired from the Ballard Locks as a Lockmaster in 1997.

Kwame was involved in numerous activities and organizations, including the Garfield Golden Grads, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, and the Senior Games, as a medal-winning competitor.

He was predeceased by his wife of 30 years, Vickie, and survived by his wife, Zenkosi Zulu, his sister, Norma Turner, his brothers, Jeffrey and Darrel Tymony, his daughter, Gina Turner, and son-in-law, Drayson Hounsome, stepdaughter Jabulile Dayton, stepson and daughter-in-law Themba and Terri Dayton, and was "Khulu" (grandpa) to their children Thandi and Tyler. He is additionally survived by countless loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives, and many, many dear friends.

A Celebration of Kwame's Life will be held from 3:30-6:00 pm, on Monday, July 17, at Evergreen Washelli Celebration Hall, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Kwame can be made to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, to support Biological Oceanography.

Words of comfort may be expressed for Kwame Turner's family by clicking on the Tributes tab just below their name.