City of Belmont Mourns the Passing of Mayor Richard Turner
Belmont, NC – With deepest sympathies, the City of Belmont regrets to announce the passing of Mayor Richard Turner, a dedicated public servant who faithfully served the Belmont community for more than twelve years, as both a Councilman and Mayor. Mayor Turner passed away unexpectedly on July 31, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of commitment and passion for the city he cherished.
Throughout his tenure, Mayor Turner worked tirelessly to make Belmont an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family. His unwavering dedication was evident in his constant presence at civic events, where he listened attentively to the concerns of the community and addressed them with respect, care, and diligence. Mayor Turner understood the profound impact local government can have on its citizens and devoted himself to delivering the highest quality service to the community of Belmont.
The entire Belmont City Council, including Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hefferan, Charlie Hill, Kathryn Lewis, Jason Rumfelt, and Alex Szucs, extends their sincere condolences to Mayor Turner’s wife, Marie, and his three children during this difficult time. The Council is profoundly grateful to the Turner family for sharing Mayor Turner with the city, allowing him to dedicate his time and energy to the betterment of Belmont.
“Mayor Turner’s sudden passing has deeply shocked and saddened us all,” expressed Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hefferan. “His love for Belmont and its residents was unwavering, as was his dedication to public service. Since first being elected to the City Council in 2013, he served in numerous roles, including Mayor Pro Tem and finally as Mayor in 2023. Mayor Turner was not only a colleague but a dear friend. His passing is a tremendous loss for our city, and our prayers and condolences go out to Marie and the entire Turner family.”
Under Mayor Turner’s leadership, Belmont achieved significant advancements, including improvements to Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park, Ebb Gantt Park, and various other city parks. He additionally coordinated the construction of a new police station, CityWorks facility, and CityRec facility, as well as notable progress in transportation and sustainable growth. His vision and leadership have left an indelible mark on the community he loved so dearly.
The City of Belmont honors Mayor Richard Turner for his remarkable service and dedication to the community. Funeral arrangements are being made by the family, and further details will be shared as they become available. The City of Belmont extends its heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved Mayor Turner during this time of great loss.
