Donald Leroy Palmer
MISSOULA - Donald Leroy Palmer of Missoula, died on Thursday, July 15, 2004, at age 79.

The son of Melvin "Mike" Leroy Palmer and Chloye (Lewis) Palmer, Don was born on July l, 1925, near Lodgepole, Perkins County, S.D. During his teen years in the rural border areas of western North Dakota and South Dakota, he enjoyed breaking and trading horses.

In June of 1944, at 18 years of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a ship fitter's mate in the Pacific until he was discharged in June 1946. The same year, at a small Missoula church called North Side Assembly of God, he became a Christian.

On Sept. 11, 1949, he married Thelma Robinson in Thayer, Mo. The next year, he graduated from Central Bible Institute in Springfield Missouri.

Beginning in 1951 in Missoula, he spent most of his adult working years as a railroader, first with the Northern Pacific Railroad and later with the N.P.'s successor, the Burlington Northern Railroad. On Feb. 2, 1952, he received an appointment as a locomotive fireman and in 1962, he was promoted to locomotive engineer, a position he held until his retirement on July 19, 1986. During most of his railroad career, Don was an active member of the Locomotive Fireman's Union.

Don and Thelma enjoyed their retirement years traveling in their motor home throughout the Southern, Midwestern and Western states, visiting friends, extended family and favorite locations.

Don was well-known for his sense of humor and maintained it until the very end.

Don was preceded in death by his younger brother, Jackie Lynn Palmer (Nov. 22, 1932); his parents Chloye Palmer (Sept. 9, 1982) and Melvin Palmer (Feb. 1, 1992); and his grandson, Bradley Charles Palmer (Nov. 22, 1997).

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Thelma; his half sister Arline (Mardsen) Everard; his brother, David Palmer; his three children, Michael Don Palmer, Rexford Lynn Palmer and Debora Kathryn (Palmer) Wiederspan; and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and other extended family that were all an important part of his life.

Special thanks to Dr. Judy Schmidt and staff for their dedicated and compassionate care. Thanks are also extended to the wonderful nurses and staff at both Community Medical Center and Village Health Care.

Following cremation, a memorial service to celebrate Don's life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Missoula Alliance Church, 100 E. Foss Court, Missoula. A reception will be held immediately following the memorial.

In memory of Don's beloved grandson Bradley, memorials may be made to Evangel University, Bradley Palmer Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1111 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802.