Paul Turner- Cometfan "A Man of Class"

I’ve wanted to write about Paul Turner (Cometfan) for sometime, but didn’t really know what to say and how to say it. You see, even though Paul was a friend of mine the last 9 years, it was strange because I’ve never had the good fortune in meeting him.

When we started the Softball forum I was looking for a moderator that could help us grow the forum into something of interest. Paul was recommended to me as the perfect person to fill this role. It was a unique relationship because we may never have met; yet we shared stories of our families, anniversaries, continued dreams and fp softball. Paul was the one that taught me what a DD is. I would struggle reading the many posts and always read about this DD and that DD. Finally I asked, ‘What the heck is a DD?” Paul, with care and patience, politely explained the term and why it’s said.

During the initial years there was some friction on the forum as some posters wanted to use TBR to vent their gripes at coaches, specific parents, schools and, at times, players. It would frustrate me to no end why people would do this knowing it would hurt others. Paul was always the one who kept his calm and would contact the offending parties to smooth it out. That was Paul. He was always the cool head and had that grandfatherly touch. As years went by, we shared personal opinions about many things, but the two things he really displayed his emotions about is when he would talk about his daughter (how proud he was) and the fun he had on his 50th anniversary. There were times when I knew that Paul’s health would decline, but he always seemed to fight those challenges and the next message I would receive from him would be an update or pictures he took at a game. He would just keep bouncing back because he loved the game and the girls.

I always marveled and respected his commitment to the sport. He was a pioneer. I hope everyone that reads this understands while there were several important people instrumental in starting fp softball, no one did more for the sport or for his “girls’ than Paul Turner.

I always felt that character is revealed when no one was looking. I can tell you for a fact that Paul Turner never spoke badly about a kid and always found a positive to say about the parent.---even when it was challenging. He always believed in people, but even more important he was always willing to help in any way possible.

There are so few people around anymore that are kind, gentle, caring, giving and is willing to sacrifice their time and in Paul’s case, risk his health, to help others…but that was him.

He would help so many people behind the scenes that nobody ever knew about—he wouldn’t even tell me. I would have to found out from others. But that’s Paul Turner, he never did anything for himself: that wasn’t his character.

The Softball Community lost one of its leaders. It is so sad not to have him with me anymore. He was like a safety blanket for me. But Paul is gone now and he has left a hole in my heart. One goes through life never getting to meet or make friends with someone you admire and look up to. Those kind of people are too rare to find.

He had that great character that seemed to be reserved for many of the men from his generation. Men you could trust! But Paul had one other character trait that separated him from others. He had class!

So in closing I’d like to say this about Paul Turner that I reserve for a very few people that I know. If I wrote a book about him it would be titled:

Paul Turner: A Man with Class

I feel honored to have known him the last 9 years and feel privileged that he allowed me to share in his life. God Bless him and his wonderful wife and family. He will be missed.

 

And any girl that laced up cleats was his adopted DD What a man he was.

 

Agree

Agree with what has been said with a few additional comments.
Many people want to be Godly, Paul was!
Many people talk about what they want to do or should do, Paul DID!
Many people talk about caring for people, Paul just cared.
Paul was an example of how to live your life, plain and simple!
He was a true friend to me and taught me not to sweat the small stuff.
He will be missed and I can only hope I am good enough to talk softball with him again someday.

 

Paul Turner: A Man with Class: VERY WELL PUT.


Fastpitch just got a Little Better in Heaven !!!!

 

My Dad

Thank you Braves for writing such kind words about my dad CometFan. You are right on with how you described my dad. I am so proud that my dad CometFan took pride in the softball community and has touched so many people out there. I really miss my dad and time will only heal my broken heart as well as my Mom and brother.

 

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