February 2020 - Passage. Our beloved father Lenard John Palmer (known by most as simply John) passed away at his home in Draper, UT, on February 5, 2020. John was born to Lenard Franklin Palmer and Mary Winnifred Greenfield on October 26, 1945 as the 4th of their seven children. He often spoke fondly of his childhood in Bluffdale, UT, where he learned to hunt, fish, and collect arrowheads. John lost his father as a teenage boy, so he grew up quickly and become a serious young man.
At the age of 21 he was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Vietnam War. While John preferred not to speak much about his experiences there, he served his country with pride and received an honorable discharge at the end of his deployment. After returning home, the next chapter of his life began with his marriage to Mary Diane Sadler in September of 1969. They moved to Draper, UT, and built a life together raising their five sons and one daughter. John labored as a painter at both Utah American Steel and the Tooele Army Depot, and then as a cabinet painter later in his life. He worked very hard and provided for those he loved with quiet dignity. Though he and Mary they chose to go their separate ways after 27 years of marriage, they remained close with all their children.
After their divorce, John dedicated most of his time to the care and well being of his elderly mother; living with her for several years and continuing to care for her even after moving in with his sons Jason and Doug. After Mary's passing in 2013 he took up his coin collecting hobby with gusto. Besides his children and grandchildren, it brought him the most joy. As a person who struggled with depression, John sometimes found it easier to connect to his things rather than most people—yet he would gladly give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He loved to sing; he often made up his own lyrics to famous songs—a trait he passed on to several of his children.
John could entertain anyone with his uncanny ability to mimic animal sounds. He always had a soft spot for animals; especially chickens. He could have given "Crazy Cat Lady" a run for her money as "Crazy Chicken Man." He enjoyed raising them, showing them, and could often be found nursing the sick or injured ones back to health with all the tenderness of a gentle giant. His big beard and wild hair became his trademark look, though his daughter MaryEllyn often made special trips to help him trim and style it so he took on a "Santa" look that endeared him to his grandchildren.
John never wished to be a burden on others; preferring to suffer in silence rather than inconvenience anyone. Over the last few years he struggled to maintain his health and endured daily pain from an abdominal ulcer and diabetes. Dad, you were never a burden to us. We are so glad to know that you are resting peacefully.
John was preceded in death by his sisters Denise Palmer and Judy Graybeal, and his granddaughter Meghan Palmer. He is survived by his siblings—Bill Palmer, Colleen Furman, Shawna Olsen, and Trina Lindsey; as well as his children—Steven (Wendy) Palmer, Dennis (Grace) Palmer, Kevin (Barbra) Palmer, Douglas Palmer, Jason Palmer, and MaryEllyn Palmer along with 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. They will all miss their "Santa Grandpa." Thanks for the memories.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 S. 2200 W. Riverton, UT. A viewing will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the same location and one hour prior to services on Thursday. Interment at Midvale City Cemetery.
At the age of 21 he was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Vietnam War. While John preferred not to speak much about his experiences there, he served his country with pride and received an honorable discharge at the end of his deployment. After returning home, the next chapter of his life began with his marriage to Mary Diane Sadler in September of 1969. They moved to Draper, UT, and built a life together raising their five sons and one daughter. John labored as a painter at both Utah American Steel and the Tooele Army Depot, and then as a cabinet painter later in his life. He worked very hard and provided for those he loved with quiet dignity. Though he and Mary they chose to go their separate ways after 27 years of marriage, they remained close with all their children.
After their divorce, John dedicated most of his time to the care and well being of his elderly mother; living with her for several years and continuing to care for her even after moving in with his sons Jason and Doug. After Mary's passing in 2013 he took up his coin collecting hobby with gusto. Besides his children and grandchildren, it brought him the most joy. As a person who struggled with depression, John sometimes found it easier to connect to his things rather than most people—yet he would gladly give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He loved to sing; he often made up his own lyrics to famous songs—a trait he passed on to several of his children.
John could entertain anyone with his uncanny ability to mimic animal sounds. He always had a soft spot for animals; especially chickens. He could have given "Crazy Cat Lady" a run for her money as "Crazy Chicken Man." He enjoyed raising them, showing them, and could often be found nursing the sick or injured ones back to health with all the tenderness of a gentle giant. His big beard and wild hair became his trademark look, though his daughter MaryEllyn often made special trips to help him trim and style it so he took on a "Santa" look that endeared him to his grandchildren.
John never wished to be a burden on others; preferring to suffer in silence rather than inconvenience anyone. Over the last few years he struggled to maintain his health and endured daily pain from an abdominal ulcer and diabetes. Dad, you were never a burden to us. We are so glad to know that you are resting peacefully.
John was preceded in death by his sisters Denise Palmer and Judy Graybeal, and his granddaughter Meghan Palmer. He is survived by his siblings—Bill Palmer, Colleen Furman, Shawna Olsen, and Trina Lindsey; as well as his children—Steven (Wendy) Palmer, Dennis (Grace) Palmer, Kevin (Barbra) Palmer, Douglas Palmer, Jason Palmer, and MaryEllyn Palmer along with 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. They will all miss their "Santa Grandpa." Thanks for the memories.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 S. 2200 W. Riverton, UT. A viewing will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the same location and one hour prior to services on Thursday. Interment at Midvale City Cemetery.
February 2020 - Passage. Our beloved father Lenard John Palmer (known by most as simply John) passed away at his home in Draper, UT, on February 5, 2020. John was born to Lenard Franklin Palmer and Mary Winnifred Greenfield on October 26, 1945 as the 4th of their seven children. He often spoke fondly of his childhood in Bluffdale, UT, where he learned to hunt, fish, and collect arrowheads. John lost his father as a teenage boy, so he grew up quickly and become a serious young man.
At the age of 21 he was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Vietnam War. While John preferred not to speak much about his experiences there, he served his country with pride and received an honorable discharge at the end of his deployment. After returning home, the next chapter of his life began with his marriage to Mary Diane Sadler in September of 1969. They moved to Draper, UT, and built a life together raising their five sons and one daughter. John labored as a painter at both Utah American Steel and the Tooele Army Depot, and then as a cabinet painter later in his life. He worked very hard and provided for those he loved with quiet dignity. Though he and Mary they chose to go their separate ways after 27 years of marriage, they remained close with all their children.
After their divorce, John dedicated most of his time to the care and well being of his elderly mother; living with her for several years and continuing to care for her even after moving in with his sons Jason and Doug. After Mary's passing in 2013 he took up his coin collecting hobby with gusto. Besides his children and grandchildren, it brought him the most joy. As a person who struggled with depression, John sometimes found it easier to connect to his things rather than most people—yet he would gladly give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He loved to sing; he often made up his own lyrics to famous songs—a trait he passed on to several of his children.
John could entertain anyone with his uncanny ability to mimic animal sounds. He always had a soft spot for animals; especially chickens. He could have given "Crazy Cat Lady" a run for her money as "Crazy Chicken Man." He enjoyed raising them, showing them, and could often be found nursing the sick or injured ones back to health with all the tenderness of a gentle giant. His big beard and wild hair became his trademark look, though his daughter MaryEllyn often made special trips to help him trim and style it so he took on a "Santa" look that endeared him to his grandchildren.
John never wished to be a burden on others; preferring to suffer in silence rather than inconvenience anyone. Over the last few years he struggled to maintain his health and endured daily pain from an abdominal ulcer and diabetes. Dad, you were never a burden to us. We are so glad to know that you are resting peacefully.
John was preceded in death by his sisters Denise Palmer and Judy Graybeal, and his granddaughter Meghan Palmer. He is survived by his siblings—Bill Palmer, Colleen Furman, Shawna Olsen, and Trina Lindsey; as well as his children—Steven (Wendy) Palmer, Dennis (Grace) Palmer, Kevin (Barbra) Palmer, Douglas Palmer, Jason Palmer, and MaryEllyn Palmer along with 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. They will all miss their "Santa Grandpa." Thanks for the memories.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 S. 2200 W. Riverton, UT. A viewing will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the same location and one hour prior to services on Thursday. Interment at Midvale City Cemetery.
At the age of 21 he was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Vietnam War. While John preferred not to speak much about his experiences there, he served his country with pride and received an honorable discharge at the end of his deployment. After returning home, the next chapter of his life began with his marriage to Mary Diane Sadler in September of 1969. They moved to Draper, UT, and built a life together raising their five sons and one daughter. John labored as a painter at both Utah American Steel and the Tooele Army Depot, and then as a cabinet painter later in his life. He worked very hard and provided for those he loved with quiet dignity. Though he and Mary they chose to go their separate ways after 27 years of marriage, they remained close with all their children.
After their divorce, John dedicated most of his time to the care and well being of his elderly mother; living with her for several years and continuing to care for her even after moving in with his sons Jason and Doug. After Mary's passing in 2013 he took up his coin collecting hobby with gusto. Besides his children and grandchildren, it brought him the most joy. As a person who struggled with depression, John sometimes found it easier to connect to his things rather than most people—yet he would gladly give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He loved to sing; he often made up his own lyrics to famous songs—a trait he passed on to several of his children.
John could entertain anyone with his uncanny ability to mimic animal sounds. He always had a soft spot for animals; especially chickens. He could have given "Crazy Cat Lady" a run for her money as "Crazy Chicken Man." He enjoyed raising them, showing them, and could often be found nursing the sick or injured ones back to health with all the tenderness of a gentle giant. His big beard and wild hair became his trademark look, though his daughter MaryEllyn often made special trips to help him trim and style it so he took on a "Santa" look that endeared him to his grandchildren.
John never wished to be a burden on others; preferring to suffer in silence rather than inconvenience anyone. Over the last few years he struggled to maintain his health and endured daily pain from an abdominal ulcer and diabetes. Dad, you were never a burden to us. We are so glad to know that you are resting peacefully.
John was preceded in death by his sisters Denise Palmer and Judy Graybeal, and his granddaughter Meghan Palmer. He is survived by his siblings—Bill Palmer, Colleen Furman, Shawna Olsen, and Trina Lindsey; as well as his children—Steven (Wendy) Palmer, Dennis (Grace) Palmer, Kevin (Barbra) Palmer, Douglas Palmer, Jason Palmer, and MaryEllyn Palmer along with 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. They will all miss their "Santa Grandpa." Thanks for the memories.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 S. 2200 W. Riverton, UT. A viewing will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the same location and one hour prior to services on Thursday. Interment at Midvale City Cemetery.
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