Dwight Dale Turpin

Dwight Dale Turpin, 59, of Sherwood, Arkansas, went to be with his Creator, Wednesday August 31, 2016 at 6 p.m. Dwight's faith remained steadfast to the end. Dwight's easy going personality and uplifting, positive approach to life will be missed by his treasured family and abundance of friends. Dwight had a love for baseball throughout his entire life. At the age of 10 he began playing little league at Burns Park for Dyke Brothers/Delgman Supply where his coach Billy Caroll recognized that Dwight had an unusual talent for pitching and a mean fastball. Thus, his career on the mound began. His baseball career continued at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. While playing for the UALR Trojans Dwight's success on the mound remains unmatched as he continues to hold unbroken pitching records to this day. Dwight was drafted into the Angels organization in 1979 but due to a MLB strike in 1981 his career was cut short. After his professional baseball career, his marriage to his wife Gwynn Ann and the birth of their two sons, Zach and Mark and daughter, Shelby, became his passion. His love for the game took another turn and he poised himself for little league coaching following in the steps of his beloved Coach Caroll. Dwight was the owner of D's Wholesale for 20 years, supplying local and national grocery chains across the country with unperishable items. Dwight's passion for the game became even more refined when his reputation for being one of the most sought after pitching instructors spread like a wild fire. Boys from the age of seven to young men in their mid-twenties would all vie for a half hour to hour pitching lesson. Many of Dwight's students received baseball scholarships and several received professional offers. Many of his most cherished moments would come at the ring of his phone or the sound signifying an incoming text as he would hear or read the excitement of one of his many students proclaiming their personal success on the mound immediately following their game. Coach Dwight became a hero to hundreds and possibly thousands of young boys across this great state and bordering states as each dreamed of their own personal success on the infamous pitching mound. Dwight is survived by his wife of 36 years, Gwynn Ann, two sons, Zach and Mark, of Sherwood, daughter, Shelby of Maumelle, mother, Mary Adams of Fayetteville, three sisters, Georgia Springs of Tampa Florida, Paula Jones, of Fayetteville, and Dana Pool, also of Fayetteville. Dwight is also survived by his nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. Dwight is preceded in death by his stepfather, Vernon Adams, his father, Dale Turpin, and stepmother, Lorene Turpin. A celebration of Dwight's life will be held at Central Baptist Church, 5200 Fairway Ave. in North Little Rock on Saturday, September the 10th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dwight's honor to Central Baptist Church. Please sign online guestbook at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.