GOLDEN Bachelor star Gerry Turner’s father, Everett, has died at age 93 as the reality star battles bone cancer.
Gerry, 73, appeared on ABC’s Golden Bachelor in 2023 and often shared photos of his father on social media since being in the spotlight.
The U.S. Sun can confirm Everett passed away on January 28, 2025 at his Fort Wayne, Indiana home at 93 years old.
According to his obituary, Everett worked as a baker and enjoyed riding motorcycles and watching football.
Everett is survived by his wife Norma “Peggy” Berkes-Turner, three sons, one daughter, stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life was held for Everett on February 15, 2025 at a Veterans organization in New Haven, Indiana.
Gerry has not announced his father’s passing on social media.
LAST WISHES
The U.S. Sun could also exclusively reveal Gerry filed to be the personal representative of his late dad’s estate on March 18, 2025.
Court papers reveal Gerry’s request was approved by an Indiana judge.
According to the Last Will and Testament, Everett wrote, “My four Emmett Kelly Figurines, all of my grandfathe’rs tools on the left side of the back wall in the residence garage, all guns to include the Marlin lever action with gold trigger, short barrel 410 and 20 gauge bolt action, and Swarovski silver crystal collections to Gerry W. Turner.”
Gerry last posted with Everett in a 2024 Father’s Day post, as he included a selfie with his dad.
Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner was once was forced to choose between two women years before joining show, his father claims
The caption read, “Another great Father’s Day. The best daughters a dad could ask for, the best dad a son could ever have, and the best golf buddies on earth. Thanks to all who made this a wonderful Father’s Day.”
In January 2024, he posted another selfie with his dad with the caption, “Picked up a new BMW in Fort Wayne on Saturday and that was a thrill. But the biggest thrill was that my dad (who is 93yrs old) showed up to share in the fun. Love you dad.”
DAD KNOWS BEST
Everett exclusively spoke to The U.S. Sun from his Indiana home while his son appeared on The Golden Bachelor.
He revealed his doubts about Gerry’s then-fiancee Theresa Nist, who Gerry ultimately divorced from after just three months of marriage.
The proud dad revealed he watched every episode of The Golden Bachelor with his wife and their friends to support his son.
In an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun in December 2023, Everett, who had yet to meet Theresa at the time, revealed he had hoped Gerry would pick runner-up Leslie Fhima.
He said, “I had Leslie picked out. For some reason, I just didn’t care for Theresa.
“I was 60 percent for Leslie and 40 percent for Theresa. I couldn’t say why. Right off the bat, Theresa rubbed me the wrong way.
“But it don’t matter. Now I have to change my tune! She’s marrying my son. I’m bound to like her.”
Everett then joked, “If she don’t make him happy, I’ll probably kick her in the butt!
“I like Theresa. There is not a problem with me not liking her.”
He added, “All I want is for him to be happy. Whatever he decides to do, I’ll back him 100%.”
But Gerry’s stepmom, Peggy, had Theresa “picked out from the very start.”
She told The U.S. Sun, “I thought so because they had so much in common. His two daughters and granddaughter seemed to like her last night. They are his pride and joy, so he’s listening to them.”
Everett and Norma learned he was picking Theresa when viewers did, as their son kept the winner a secret even from his family.
Everett said, “I am always tickled to see him. I have always been proud of him. Not only for this Bachelor thing. He’s been terrific.
“Our relationship has always been good. I coached him in Little League. Helped him in basketball. Him and I, we road our motorcycles down to the great smoky mountains together. Our relationship is fine.”
PROUD DAD
In October 2023, Everett praised his son in an initial interview with The U.S. Sun.
He said of Gerry joining the dating show, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. He was very successful in his career. Might as well do something like this. We are supportive of the show. I support him.
“I’m not nervous about my son at all. I know he’ll do a good job no matter what he does. He hasn’t failed at anything.”
When asked what kind of woman he would like to see for his son, he said, “A partner so to speak. She has to be a good cook. He makes the best prime rib!”
Everett even gave his son advice, telling him, “Have fun and be careful!”
The Golden Bachelor contestants
In 2023, the world was introduced to its first Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner.
Meet all of the women who were competing for Gerry’s heart.
- Theresa Nist (WINNER)
- Leslie Fhima (RUNNER UP)
- Faith Martin
- Ellen Goltzer
- Sandra Mason
- Susan Noles
- April Kirkwood
- Kathy Swarts
- Nancy Hulkower
- Christina Kempton
- Edith Aguirre
- Joan Vassos (FIRST GOLDEN BACHELORETTE)
- Jeanie Howard
- Natascha Hardee
- Peggy Dercole
- Marina Perera
- Anna Zalk
- Maria Trice
- Pamela Burns
- Patty James
- Renee Halverson-Wright
- Sylvia Robledo
Theresa and Gerry got married in January live on ABC. Four months later, the two announced they were getting a divorce.
TRAGIC DIAGNOSIS
Everett’s death comes after Gerry revealed he was diagnosed with cancer in March 2024.
He told People, “As Theresa and I were trying very hard to find our lifestyle and where we were going to live and how we were going to make our life work, I was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer.
“Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it. So that weighs heavily in every decision I make.”
“It was like 10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me. And I was a bit in denial for a while, I didn’t want to admit to it.”
He revealed the diagnosis played a role in his divorce, explaining, “I wanted my life to continue on as normal as possible, and that led me to believing that as normal as possible more meant spending time with my family, my two daughters, my two son-in-laws, my granddaughters.
“And the importance of finding the way with Theresa was still there, but it became less of a priority.”
Gerry gave an update on his “incurable” cancer diagnosis earlier this week on a podcast.
He said, “I feel great. Until I have any symptoms, there’s no treatment. So I go frequently for blood tests.
“I’m on, like, a six-month schedule now, and I feel optimistic because the doctor has said, ‘Well, when you turn 75, we’re going to have to go three-month increments.’ So it’s telling me that at least he expects me to live another couple of years to get to that. But the bottom line is I feel really good.
“I mean this sincerely, from the time I got this diagnosis, it’s a privilege to live like you’re dying. I don’t turn down anything. I feel like I’m more open to emotions. I’m more open to experiences.”
