Richard "Dick" Andrew Palmer, Sr.

Richard Andrew "Dick" Palmer Sr. (95) went to be with his Lord and Savior January 15, 2018. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM January 19 at First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend John Kinser officiating. Richard was born in Macon, Georgia on January 21, 1923 to the late Ida Kate Grant and John Everett Palmer. As a child of the great depression, he began work at an early age to add to the family income. He joined the Georgia National Guard while still a student at Lanier Sr. High School for Boys. Just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, his National Guard Unit was called to active military duty. Beginning his military career as a teenage Private, he qualified for Officer's Candidate School and was transferred to the US Army Air Corp as a flight instructor for the P-38 and P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft. Soon after V-J Day, Captain Palmer was discharged and returned home with his new bride, Marian, from Winnipeg, Canada. They met and married while he was stationed near Washington, DC. After the war he joined his father's tire and battery business located on Broadway in Macon. With the same determination that enabled his military success, he applied his skills as a leader and visionary to turn that small business into one of the largest tire distributor in America. Over the years Palmer Tire Company evolved into Palmer Industries with multiple divisions and locations across the country. Being self-educated, he sought out mentors who could teach him their keys to success. He was an advocate of education and self-improvement. He became a popular public speaker and conducted motivational and training courses as one of the early members of the National Speakers Association and the local Toast Masters organization. His legacy will be the long list of entrepreneurs who once worked for Richard Palmer and then moved on to start their own businesses. Although he was extremely busy with his own enterprises, he always took time to participate in industry trade associations and local civic organizations. He was past President of the Georgia Tire Dealers Association, Past Commander of the American Legion Post 3, a member of the Shriners, Macon Rotary Club and Idle Hour Country Club. He also served as an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Macon. Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marian Deering Palmer; his brothers William, John, and Melvin; his sisters Margaret, Edna, and Ruby: and his grandson Trey Topping. Surviving are his wife of 20 years Jackie Smith Palmer; brothers Alfred, George, and Thomas; children Maureen McCullough (Charles), Rick Palmer (Connie), Diana Rodgers (Jim), Margaret Palmer (Casey Fasciano); grandchildren Beth Sillen (Peter), Amy McCullough, Richard Palmer (Lori), Matthew Palmer (Brandi Hartness), Susan Palmer (Ben Heiffron), and Brandy Duvernet (John); great grandchildren Jake Sillen, Henry Sillen, Charley Hellis, Jozi Hellis, Tift Palmer, Andrew Palmer, Griffin Palmer, Anson Palmer, Keith Hartness, Calloway Hartness, Mary Corbett Hartness, Palmer Edge, Colton Edge, Parker Duvernet, Jack Duvernet; Step-daughter Patrice Maloy (Jim); Step-granddaughter Emily Lane (Cameron); and Step-grandson Chandler Lane. In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church 682 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA. Hart's at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.