Dr. Douglas L. Turpin of Vienna, WV (formerly of St. Louis, MO), passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the age of 87. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Etta (nee Branscome), his first loving wife of 40 years, Linda (nee Johnson), and son Marc. Doug is survived by his second loving wife of 19 years, Judy, as well as his forever loving and grateful daughter, Rebecca, and her spouse Charles Boyce; three beloved grandchildren and their spouses: Meagan (Matt) Alton, Connor LaCour, and Annie (Josh) Hill; and four beloved great-grandchildren: Lenna, Meadow, Fiona, and Millie.
Doug was truly one-of-a-kind. He had a great sense of humor and was always thinking of ways to make everyone laugh with his zingers and practical jokes, often playing his artful pranks on people when they were least suspecting. Doug was also a great role model and hard worker, never complaining and embracing all the beauty and heartbreak of life with grace and stoicism. But most of all, Doug lifted people up and made them feel good about themselves in the small fleeting moments that form the foundation of a meaningful life. This was Doug’s essential attribute — the defining quality of Doug that everyone who knew and loved him will miss most.
Doug grew up in West Virginia where he honed his budding musical talents as a trumpet player. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served proudly as a French horn player in the acclaimed Marine Corps Band. The six years he spent in service to his country proved truly formative. He enthusiastically shared many colorful stories from that period in his life with family, friends, and colleagues, but given his propensity for mischief, there were probably even more stories that he deeply treasured and kept to himself.
Doug received his doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis, his Master of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University, and his Bachelor of Music Education from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He served as Coordinator of Fine Arts for the Parkway School District in St. Louis County from 1972-1996. After joining the faculty at the University of Missouri: St. Louis and the Symphony Music School, he served as Director of the Whitaker Desmond Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative — a collaboration between UMSL, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theater of St. Louis, and other community arts organizations from 1998-2006. Throughout his distinguished career in music education, Doug received many honors and awards, including the esteemed title of UMSL Professor Emeritus, Art and Education Council of St. Louis Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Art Educator of the Year, National Suzuki String Association Award, UMSL Dean’s Award for Lifetime Service to Education, Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Fame, St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Hall of Fame, Missouri American String Teachers Association Distinguished Service Award, St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year Award, and Parkway School District Pillar of Parkway award.
After he retired in 2006, Doug relocated to West Virginia so that he could live in close proximity to Rebecca and her family. In recent years, “Dougy” had become a beloved resident of the Wyngate Assisted Living Facility in Vienna, where he won the hearts of all who knew him. Through his last days, Doug’s trademark sense of humor and gift for silliness continued to entertain all who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing and loving him.
May you forever sound your trumpet loudly and proudly with Heaven’s angels, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, and friend.
Semper Fi.
Visitation will be held on 4/17/2026 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Kutis Funeral Home Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO. The funeral service will be on 4/18/2026 at 8:00 AM at the same location with burial following at Sunset Memorial Park across the street.
Doug was a good friend and neighbor when we both lived in Squire, W VA and attended
Big Creek High School. My late husband
Ralph Crandall was also a good friend of his.
More recently when I heard the Marine. Band play at a holiday event I thought of him and called him. We had a good conversation.
Doug will certainly be missed.