Willard Franklin Turley Jr, (aka Frank Turley) 1935-2020

Covid-19 stole the life of the internationally recognized blacksmith, educator, dancer and historian Frank Turley on November 12, 2002.  

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Great Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Great Uncle, Great Great Uncle Godfather, Native & Ballroom Dancer, Blacksmith, Illustrator, Craftsman, Artist, Tai Chi Chuan Teacher, Educator, Writer, and Best Friend to many, and much more. Papa Frank Turley will be missed beyond words. The love for his wife Juanita was like that of every breath he took. He honored her to his last minutes, where he left us all in Taos, NM. 

A true Renaissance man, Turley was born in St. Louis, MO and fell in love with ironwork as a child. He would go on to found Turley Forge, the first and longest running of America’s ironworking schools. Often called the GrandDaddy of Blacksmithing Schools, it attracted an international audience of over 1600 students during its 50 years of operation. Frank began his career as a farrier but early on recognized the need for an educational facility that would be dedicated to the art and craft of blacksmithing. His knowledge of ironwork included an early career as a conservator, often repairing locks, hinges, tools and other examples of Spanish Colonial objects from the New Mexico History Museum. His knowledge would lead him to join with the noted New Mexican historian Marc Simmons and together they wrote the definitive book on Spanish Colonial Ironwork published in 1981 and reprinted again in 2007. As a young Boy Scout, Frank studied American Indian dancing and this interest ultimately led him to adopt the straight dancing style of widely respected straight dancer Abe Conklin. Turley participated as a straight dancer in Pow Wows throughout the country and was invited to join as a member of the  Ponca Hethuska Society by Clyde Warrior. He was also much sought after as a demonstrator and workshop leader in universities and craft schools throughout the U.S

Frank was also known for his mastery of Tai Chi and he hosted a group of Tai Chi students every Sunday in Santa Fe. Whether it was Tai Chi, forge welding or the historic character of ironwork, Turley’s knowledge and generosity as a teacher and mentor was legendary. His skill in movement informed his style of blacksmithing and watching him move effortlessly from forge to anvil was akin to watching a feather float on the breeze. His students and family will also remember his keen sense of humor and love of stories.

The Artist Blacksmith Association of North America awarded Frank with the inaugural recipient Alex Bealer Award of distinction in 1982 and in 2019 he was again recognized by ABANA for an Heritage Award for his 50 years of Black Smith School. Turley was the only U.S. blacksmith ever recognized twice by ABANA. 

There are many other accolades that we will share and our families would ask for your forgiveness in this extremely difficult times to understand the importance of social distancing as Frank would not want anyone to get sick from this. We will all meet again at another time to honor Mr. Frank Turley with a memorial. Until then please be safe and patient to get through this in the best way possible.

May the Great Spirit protect you and all your loved ones.

Preceded by his father Willard Franklin Turley Sn. and Mother Nina Lee (Osborne) Turley; Sister and brother-in-law, Miriam Lee and Randall Gresens. 

Frank Turley also leaves behind his beloved wife Juanita Turley of Taos Pueblo; Sons Jay Turley and his daughter Bekkah Turley; Marc Turley, his wife Phoenix, children Sky, Kiva, Valkyrie, Gaia and Aria; Stepdaughter with Juanita Turley, Mary Esther Winters Husband Carl Winters; Grandchildren, David Winters ; Great grandchildren; Jessie (Summer); Great great grandson Asher Winters; Great Granddaughter Winona Winters; Great great grandchildren Logan Winters & Malaya Winters; Great grandson, Mathias & Dave Winters; Granddaughter April Winters; Great grandchildren Marshal & Monet Winters; Grandson Patrick Winters; Great grandchildren Even & Payton Winters; Grandson Robert Winters; Great grandchildren; Alexia Eve, Jace, Eli & Royce Winters; Stepson; Craig Marcus; Stepdaughter with Juanita Turley, Kathleen Michaels & companion Leroy Martines; Stepdaughter with Juanita Turley,  Patricia Michaels & companion James Duran; Grandchildren; Gabriel Mozart Abeyta & Margeaux Juanita Abeyta.

Brother to Frank; Robert Turley, his wife, Diana, son Pieter Turley and stepchildren, Shauna & Scott Smith; Sister to Frank; Nina Sue Turley, Daughter and Frank's niece Faith Maelee and her children Frank's great nieces and nephews Orion, Sophie and Daniel Kindel; Nephew Ric Bebmis, Jr. wife Linda; Great Niece Ariel Shimer; Great great niece & nephew Bailey & Liam; Great Niece, Shimmer; Great niece, Ria Reinhardt, Husband Brian Reinhardt; Great great nephew, Alton Rienhardt.

Rest in Peace My Dear Husband Frank

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