Mehmet Yurdakul
1 January 1962 – 1 July 2021

Mehmet died peacefully at his Atmore home surrounded by his wife, Lynn, brother-in-law, Bill Pennington, and Hospice nurse, Donna S.

Mehmet was born in the Izmir Province, Turkey. He came to the US in 1991 where he acquired a Green Card and began working in the pizza industry. Over the next decade, Mehmet worked his way up from a dish washer with limited English skills to general manager in charge of his own store. Mehmet made the choice to become an American citizen and on August 19, 2000, he took the solemn oath to protect and serve the United States. Mehmet found a passion for food and culinary arts and in 2001 applied to culinary school at Johnson & Wales University. He was accepted and entered the program in Charleston, SC. In 2005, Mehmet graduated Magna Cum Laude and gained employment with a very prestigious retirement community in Charleston. He was the community favorite for his sense of humor and exotic food creations.

Mehmet's reputation preceded him and, in 2007, the opportunity to join a team to open a new and exciting casino in Atmore, AL presented itself. After careful consideration, Mehmet and Lynn made the decision to move to Atmore and begin their careers at Wind Creek. Mehmet helped grow the property from a bingo style hall to the 5-star hotel and casino resort present today.

Over his career Mehmet had many milestones, accomplishments, and community influences. In 2010, Mehmet was voted Chef of the Year of the Wind Creek Chapter of The American Culinary Federation. Mehmet established the dining facility at the then new Lavan Martin Assisted Living Facility.  He operated the Wind Creek Food Truck, which traveled all over the state representing the tribe and the casino. Mehmet volunteered his time and skill with the Baldwin County School District by teaching a class in the studio kitchen at BCHS. The students loved the class and anticipated his visit each semester. He made a guest appearance on News Channel 5 demonstrating his skills for the local viewing audience. Mehmet is probably best known in the community for his time teaching classes at the Culinary Studio at Wind Creek. It is not unusual to hear an Atmore citizen say that Mehmet taught them how to properly and safely use a knife.

Mehmet is preceded in death by his mother, Surahiye Ak Yurdakul, and his father, Sabri Yurdakul.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lynn Pennington Yurdakul.  Mehmet's marriage to Lynn brought him two daughters, Bonnie Warner (John) of Williamsburg, VA, and Penny Stroupe (Joey) of Augusta, GA. Mehmet has four grandchildren, Chance Turner, Sarah Warner (Jack Pronier), Wesley Griffin, and Alexander Hilton. Chance gave Mehmet three great grandchildren, Aidan, Arya, and Roman.

In his home country of Turkey, Mehmet is survived by three sisters, Mujgan Yurdakul, Nermin Wood, Nezi Yurdakul.

The family expresses gratitude to Southern Care Hospice of Atmore. Donna, Tiera, Stephanie, Vickie, Brittany, Kaitlyn, and Ed were indispensable through this process. Special thanks to Dana W. of Infusion Services who went above and beyond her primary duties to make Mehmet comfortable and cared for in his last days.

Memorial services for the family will be determined at a later date.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.