John Richard Palmer

John Richard Palmer was born July 29, 1936 in Portland, Oregon to John Anton Palmer and Mable Long Palmer. From Oregon, John's family resided in various locals in Southern California and Nevada, finally settling in San Bernardino where he graduated from Chafee High School in 1952. John moved to Humboldt County in 1958 with his parents who taught at Alderpoint School. Here he began working at Lindrith's Veneer Mil where he met Dolores Harvey. The two were married in 1959. After moving to Arcata, John was employed for the Division of Beaches and Parks located at the Fort Humboldt site while he finished college at HSU. Daughter Sharon was born during the Arcata years. After college, the family moved to Fortuna, daughter Jenelle was born, and John began his career with the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources, retiring in 1993.
As a transplant from Southern California, Dad took root in Humboldt and chose to remain here throughout his career, maintaining a way of life in exchange for "career advancement" which would have taken him out of the area. He loved the land, the weather, the people and the community of Humboldt. Dad took great pleasure in exploring all this area has to offer and spent much time "sightseeing" both the city and country roads, digging through treasures at antique and thrift shops and lunching out; especially at Mike's Burgers and Stuft Potato.
John was a member of the Blocksburg Town Hall Association, Humboldt Historical Society, Eel River Model Railroad Club, NRA, National Wildlife Federation, and the National Railroad Association as well as a devoted supporter of Scotia Band, Humboldt Harmonaires, and music and arts education.
John is survived by daughters, Sharon Holt and Jenelle Palmer; grandson Justin Ekholm; niece Laurie Wilson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lawrence and Virginia Harvey, friends Greg and Marijo Susich, Bruce and Nelda Palmer, Don and Nancy Setterlund, and Robb Dunn. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Ortha Palmer, and Mable and Frank Stevens; wife Dolores; nephew Mark Harvey; friends Ernie Hines, Buck Tiller, and Jeff LeMaster.
Dad was under the long term care of Dr. George Jutila and the wonderful staff at Fortuna Family Medical, especially the always respectful and genuinely caring Laura and Paige. His final days were spent at Alder Bay Assisted Living under the devoted care of Hospice, where he passed away on July 29, 2014 at age 78 exactly.
A memorial service will be held at the William Barnwell Memorial Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, plant a tree or make a donation to Scotia Band, Box 3 Scotia, CA 95565, Humboldt Harmonaires, Eureka, California or an organization of your choice. Best of all take a drive, walk or hike somewhere in this glorious area and remember John.
Arrangements are under the care of Gobles Fortuna Mortuary.

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