Ronald Dean Turney, 63, of Hereford, Texas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Amarillo.
Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Amarillo, 1208 S. Tyler, with Dr. Howie Batson officiating. Burial to follow at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo under the care and direction of Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home. A family and friend visitation will be on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home in Hereford.
Dean was born on August 2, 1962, in Lubbock, Texas, to Roy and Faydell (Jordan) Turney. He attended school in Morton, Texas, and graduated from Morton High School in 1980. At just 16 years old, Dean began working at the Morton Lumber yard, where he developed a strong work ethic and gained valuable experience in construction and lumber. In 1982, Dean married Becky Cline, his high school friend and sweetheart. He later relocated to Hereford in 1989 after accepting the manager position at Higginbotham Lumber.
Dean, a lifelong first responder and fireman, started as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Morton and Earth Fire Department and EMS. After moving to Hereford in 1989, he joined the Hereford Volunteer Fire Department, proudly serving for 43 years. He yearly attended Texas A & M Fire School, completing numerous courses and earning multiple certifications. He was awarded Fireman of the Year in 1997 for his heroism, a reflection of the courage and selflessness he showed throughout his service, always willing to go above and beyond the call to help others. Dean rose to the ranks as Captain of the Hereford Fire Department before becoming Hereford’s Fire Marshall in 2000. He served as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the city and Deaf Smith County, where he had a deep passion for protecting his community. He especially loved monitoring severe weather and took great pride in participating in the Fire Department’s “Weather Watch,” often going out during storms and working to keep residents safe.
He led Emergency Management for both the county and city and was appointed assistant City Manager in 2022. Even after retiring in April 2024, Dean’s commitment to the fire service never wavered. He closely followed his son’s calls and, on Saturday morning before his passing, was listening to the Hereford Fire Department scanner during a grass fire—still keeping a watchful eye on the department and the community he cared for so deeply.
Dean was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Hereford and the First Baptist Church of Amarillo. He was involved in Sunday School and admired the work of the Texas Baptist Missions who provide support, meet crucial needs, and disaster relief to communities and churches affected by natural and manmade disasters.
Dean loved to travel, regularly visited Disney World for annual vacations and enjoyed traveling in his camper, fishing and camping with family. Following his retirement, Dean embraced the opportunity to travel, filling his first six months with memorable trips. He and Becky visited Branson, Missouri, Florida, enjoyed a Disney Cruise, and traveled to Montana, along with a oncein- a-lifetime Alaskan fishing trip shared with his brother. Dean also loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting and school events and spending quality time with them. Dean was a dedicated, loving, and protective husband, father, and grandad.
He is survived by his wife Becky Turney of Hereford, Texas; sons Jonathan Turney and his wife Ally of Bushland, Texas and Michael Turney and his wife Nikki of Canyon, Texas; six grandchildren, Kyler, Maisy, Colson, Claire, Emma, and Hannah Turney; brothers, Benny Turney and his wife Bonnie of Abilene, Texas, and Eddie Turney and his wife Michelle of Florida, and sister Betty Hensley of Jacksonville, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Faydell Turney and infant grandson Jace Turney.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in honor of Dean to, Texans on Mission, 5351 Catron Drive, Dallas, TX 75227; www.texansonmission.