Val Palmer

LOGAN, UTAH: Val Wilson Palmer 67 left an empty void for those who knew him. He passed away peacifully in Norma’s arms just after,(wouldn’t you know) saying Thank You, on March 30, 2009. His presence always filled a room. He was a special person who wore many shoes for many people.
He was born in Logan, Utah on November 5, 1941 to Kenneth Daniels and Tyra Wilson Palmer.
He attended Whittier school and graduated from Logan High School, he often talked about happy memories of that era. Val was very proud of the fact that he was an Eagle Scout and he held the scouting program dear to his heart. He told of scouting trips with Bob Rust and the troops.
Val joined the Air Force in 1959 right out of high school and was assigned to Beale Air force Base in Marysville, California. There he met and married Janet Crowell in 1964. They had a son Scott Wilson Palmer, and were later divorced. He was also stationed at Stewart Air Force Base in New York. His extended tour took him to Japan, and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged August 18, 1965.
Val met Norma Payne in 1968, they were married in 1971. He and Norma had a true love story. They spent forty one years together as best friends in love. They lived, golfed, ran a business, played, supported each other and traveled as a team. You never saw one without the other one being near by. Not many people can say they were that happy. Out of this marriage they had a son Andrew H. Palmer.
After his journey in the Air Force Val returned to Logan and attended Utah State University. He re-joined the family business, A. H. Palmer & Sons and worked for his father. He started as an apprentice and worked his way up to Journeyman master plumber. Those who worked with him said ‘He could take a job and create a masterpiece’. He prided himself on his quality work and was proud to sign his name to his projects. After his father’s death in 1979 he bought into the family business as a partner with Roy Palmer. They were partners until 2000 when Roy retired and Val bought Roy’s share of the business.
Under Val’s direction A. H. Palmer & Sons has grown from a small company into a successful enterprise. He was estimator, project manager, owner, coordinator, friend and mentor; his dedication made the business what it is today. He was very proud that he continued the firm that was established in 1888 by his great- grandfather into its 121 year in business, one of the oldest successful family owned companies in the state. Everyone who worked for Val appreciated and benefited from his kind jesters, mellow demeanor and generosity as he always shared his good fortune with them. In March 2009 Val received The Partnership Award from the Utah State University Facilities.
Val taught a plumbing licensing course at USU before the class was moved to Salt Lake City. He served on Board of Directors of the Utah Mechanical Contractors Association. He also served as a member of the Utah Mechanical bid service. He was a past member of The Rotary Club and of the Logan Elks Club. Val and Norma joined the Logan Dance Club in 1981 and were members for twenty eight years and served on their committees and board of directors many times. He and Norma did a lot of volunteer endeavors; they helped with many charity fund raisers with CAPSA, Hospice, and The Big Blue. Being a part of the community was important to Val.
Val grew up on the golf course, he started to play golf when he was seven years old. When he was in his teens he was a caddy and worked in the Pro Shop for golf Professional Ken Vanderhoff. When he became of age, Val bought his own membership and was an active member of the Logan Golf and Country Club for over thirty five years. He served on the board of Directors for two different three year terms. Golf was a great passion of his, he liked to excel. He won the President flight of the Club Championship several times and held the honor of Senior Club Champion twice. One of his most cherished accomplishments at the Logan Country Club was when he shot a 62 with back to back eagles; his best round ever. He shot one under his age (64) when he was 65 and shot his age when he was 66. During his life time of golf he was one of the lucky few to have nine holes-in-one, one on the par four #10 at Alpine Country Club.
Many did not get a chance to know the real Val. Val was a person who had fun.  Every one who knew him will have happy memories to relate for many years to come. His favorite Saturday and Sunday afternoon past- time, after a day of golf was to sit on the patio and listen to Josh Groban songs and admire the beauty of the earth. He was everyone’s best friend. He was unpretentious and lived life fast. Leaving very few ventures unturned, Val was professionally successful, He was a boss, a friend, a gentlemen, at times a clown, and a jokester, sharing his knowledge, be it with a golf game, bowling, work, or life experiences. He secretly gave kind jesters never wanting anyone to know. He liked to see happy people and was a happy person himself. The one thing that he will be most remembered for, above all is: he gave of himself from his heart. It was not a burden; it was what he loved and who he was.
“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass it is about learning to dance in the rain.” Val fought the most Valliant fight with pancreatic cancer. Everyday he would say, “I need to try, today will be a better day”. There never was a more positive person; he just wanted to keep up the fight. To live one more day, he loved life so much. He never complained and never gave up, his body just gave out. Maybe he was needed by those who preceded him in death, be it his three year old son Andrew, his parents Ken and Tyra, his brother Alfred Kenneth “Gabe” or his sister Laura.
Those he leaves behind will never forget his unconditional love: his wife Norma, his son Scott (Billie) a brother William (Gwen) Palmer, a grandson A. Gage Palmer, step grandchildren, Josh, Jeremy and Jessica Poulson, step great grandchildren, nephews and nieces, brother and sister-in laws, Cliff, (Wendy) Ross, deceased(Kris) Payne, Lloyd, (Lenny) Payne, Mike (Kris) Payne, Merrill, (Jackie) Payne, Colleen (Clarence) Doran and many, many friends. It has been said, ‘it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them and a day to love them, but an entire lifetime to forget them’.
'Life  should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, Woo Hoo, What a triumphant Ride' --Author Unknown
Val, don’t forget your golf clubs.
Services will be held at Allen Hall Mortuary on Monday April 6th at 12:00 Noon. viewings will be Sunday Evening from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M and Monday 10:30 to 11:30 A.M.
Special thanks to the Alpine Hospice Team for their wonderful care and concern. Every member of the team showed great compashion, and especially Amy Godfrey who brought out Val’s great sense of humor. In leiu of flowers, please pay it forward to Alpine Hospice.
Interment will be in Logan City Cemetery following the services with Military Honors.