Charles Barry Turk Sr.

Charles Barry Turk, Sr., 85, of San Antonio, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the family home. He was born July 19, 1940, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania to Charles and Cecelia Turk. Barry graduated from Delhaas High School in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania in 1958 where he was a multi-sport athlete and where his love for everything to do with sports continued to grow. After high school, Barry enlisted in the United States Air Force and served 4 years as a Morse code interceptor. It was during his time in San Antonio at Kelley Air Force Base that he met and married Elena. Barry loved being at the ball field and during his last 2 years of military service, he played baseball in the Spanish American league which led to him enrolling at Trinity University to play baseball and eventually, a tryout with the Milwaukee Braves in the spring of 1963. After leaving the service, Barry and Elena settled in Levittown, Pennsylvania where Barry worked at US Steel for 30 years before retiring in 1993. He continued to be involved in sports, playing for several minor league softball and baseball teams, all the while encouraging or coaching his own kids on the field. When his playing days were over, he was an American Legion baseball coach for many years with the Western Post 317 team where his teams routinely advanced to state and Mid-Atlantic regional finals. After retiring, Barry and Elena moved back to San Antonio where Barry’s new favorite sports field became the golf course. A round of golf was always fun, but the best part was the many wonderful friends he made along the way. When he wasn’t playing sports, he was watching sports, usually multiple games at one time, but nothing could compare to his lifelong two favorite teams, the Philadelphia Eagles (Fly Eagles Fly) and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Barry is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Thomas Turk and his sister, Sandra Turk.

Barry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elena, and his children, Michelle Turk (Margaret) of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Charles Turk, Jr. (Lisa) of San Antonio, and Eric Turk (Michelle) of Newtown, Pennsylvania, as well as his five grandchildren, Brandon, Colby, Shae, Kaitlyn, and Kelly. Barry is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Thomas Turk and his sister, Sandra Turk.

The family would like to thank the Complete Care Home Health and Hospice team, especially Claudia and Julia, for their exceptional care over the last few months of Barry’s life. Special thanks to our wonderful aide Alice, for her unwavering support, her kind soul, and her gentle voice.

The funeral service will be held at St. Jerome Catholic Church on Thursday, August 28, 2025, with a rosary at 9:30am followed by Mass at 10 am. Burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations be made to the St. Jerome Sports Complex or the St. Jerome Food Pantry at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 7955 Real Road, San Antonio, TX 78263.