A.W. "Avaton" Turnbow

NA A. W. “ Avaton” Turnbow A.W. 83, passed away at his Olympia Home on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Avaton was born June 20, 1927 in Medford, Oregon to Amos Dale and Paula Hope (Marshall) Turnbow. He grew up in Medford and later moved to Nebraska where he graduated high school and the University ofNebraska with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He served with U.S. Army Military Police for two years. He was known as “Windy” in those days. He married Jean August 14, 1953 and three children later, they moved to Olympia . Three more children later, they divorced. He married Vicki L. Valley, May 25, 1969 in the Seattle Arboretum. Avaton was an entrepreneur having founded SLRA (Sleep Learning Research Association) and was recognized as a pioneer in the field of self-hypnosis and self-help programs. He and Vikki and Sam Millar founded Cosmic Awareness Communications in 1971 and it is active world wide to date. He enjoyed the out of doors, and he enjoyed opera, especially Wagner, he was a member of the Wagner Ring Cycle World, having attended 3 Ring Cycles in Seattle and 2 at the Met in New York City. Avaton is survived by his wife, Vicki, Olympia, four sons, Marc, Tom and Eric Turnbow of Olympia and Jon Strongbow of Seattle, daughters Marilyn Turnbow of Olympia and Katherine Peil, Cambridge, MA, eight grandchildren Jesse Peil, Katelyn Peil, Chelsea Peterson, Chloe Turnbow, Ivy Turnbow, Brenna Turnbow, Tessa Turnbow, Tanner Jon (TJ) Turnbow, 3 great grandchildren, Fletcher Peterson, Deuss Turnbow-Moore and Clementine Peil. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Constance “Connie” Janda and Virginia DeMaris. Family suggests memorials to any of the following organizations, if anyone feels inclined to do so: Cosmic Awareness Communications P.O. Box 115 Olympia, WA 98507 The Olympia Union Gospel Mission 413 Franklin St NE # A Olympia, WA 98501-6946 The Salvation Army of Olympia 1505 4th Avenue East Olympia, WA 98506-4380 Thurston County Food Bank 220 Thurston Avenue Northeast Olympia, WA 98501-1138 The family will hold a private family memorial at a later time. Funeral arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Washington – Lacey. Please be sure to sign the guestbook below.