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Michael Kelly Turpen passed away quietly at home on September 29, 2008. He was at home with Vicki, his wife of 51 years, and had spent the evening before having dinner with his children and grandchildren. Mike was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, NM, having moved here in 1958. He is survived by Vicki and his five children - Kelly White, Christopher Turpen, Shannon Horst, James Turpen, and Elizabeth Turpen. He also had 12 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Mike's dear sister, Carol Turpen Benson, is also a resident of Albuquerque, NM. Mike was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Tennessee and Virginia. He and Vicki met at University of Kentucky, married and shortly after that moved to New Mexico. Mike and Vicky graduated together from UNM in 1969 - after all five of their children were born. Mike blessed the world with a beautiful tenor voice and sang the lead in many Albuquerque Civic Light Opera Association productions in the 1960s and early seventies. He spent his career working for Farmers Insurance Group, as an agent and District Manager, and retired after 43 years with the company five years ago. He and Vicky spent the last five years traveling the world - Europe, Africa and Latin America - and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Mike was an active, long-time member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, most recently serving a three year term as First Reader. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother, friend and colleague to many. Few men have blessed the world in so many ways. He often said that he was one of the most fortunate men in the world because he could count all of his children as his best friends. Friends of the family, church members and colleagues are invited to a celebration of his life on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 2 p.m. at El Nido Farm in the South Valley. Mike's request was that, instead of flowers, individuals donate to the charity of their choice. "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
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