James Joseph “Jim” Palmer, 73, died Saturday, April 15, 2017 after a long battle with respiratory illness. Jim passed away peacefully with his children by his side.
Jim is survived by his children and their spouses: Michael and Melissa Palmer of Woodleaf, NC, Patrick and Jeanie Palmer of Purcellville, VA, Irene and Alan Marley of Jacksonville, NC, and Caitlin and Jeremy Curtis of Arlington, VA. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Cassidy, Taylor, James, Blake, Ryan, McKenna, Olivia, Elana, Lilly, and Jackson. Jim leaves two siblings and their spouses: Michael and Janet Palmer of Newport, and Leslie Palmer and Rudy Ledesma of San Antonio, TX as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his by his parents, James Joseph and Mary Dorothy (Sullivan) Palmer, his beloved wife, Nancy McGinn Palmer, and his eldest son, James Joseph Palmer, III.
Jim was born in Newport, RI on July 30, 1943 and graduated from Rogers High School. After high school, he attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Jim served his country for 20 years as a member of the Army National Guard finishing his career with a rank of first sergeant (1SG).
Jim worked for many years as a Manager at Transcom Electronics in Newport and Portsmouth, before it was bought out by Alcatel, Inc. He was transferred by Alcatel to Raleigh, NC in 1990. As a “relocated Yankee” living in North Carolina, Jim found the South suited him.
Jim touched many lives in his various roles as husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend, manager, volunteer, neighbor, and coworker. His biggest impact may be on the lives he touched as an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Jim became an inspiration to many after successfully embracing sobriety in 1980. For decades, he served as a facilitator and organizer of countless AA events and meetings, and acted as the sponsor/confidant/mentor for dozens of people seeking help to find a way out of the darkness of alcoholism. He celebrated his 37th year of active sobriety a few months before his death.
His funeral will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church on Broadway in Newport. The Mass of Christian burial will be followed by a graveside service at St. Columba Catholic Cemetery, 465 Brown’s Lane, Middletown.
Donations may be made, in his memory, to Loudoun Club 12, 58 Sycolin Road SE, Leesburg, VA 20175; 203-7712271.
