Paul Raymond "Sonny" Palmer

Paul Raymond "Sonny" Palmer, 86 years of age, Austin, Texas, peacefully departed this earthly world on Monday, April 2nd, 2018 surrounded by his family. Paul was born to Rita and Elby Palmer in Moline, Kansas, on January 25th, 1932, on the Feast Day of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle. He grew up on a farm and spent his childhood participating in high school sports, both basketball and football. He received a football scholarship to El Dorado Junior College, before attending Wichita University for three years and then transferred to St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas (now Benedictine College), to be with the love of his life, Theresa Jeanette Rice, from the neighboring town of Cedar Vale, Kansas. He graduated from St. Benedict's in 1954 with a Bachelor's in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Economics. On June 18, 1955, Paul and Jeannette were married and enjoyed 63 years of marriage. His life centered around his wife and their five children. The past 45 years were dedicated to making a home in South Austin and raising his extended family in the Catholic parish of St. Ignatius Martyr since 1973. He was a stalwart leader in the church, faithfully holding countless offices and roles in the Knights of Columbus as a third and fourth degree Knight, and Deputy Grand Knight, Men's Club, a Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts, and officer on the Parish Council and Finance Council, Eucharistic Minister, Lector and RCIA sponsor for more than 30 years. He was also a volunteer driver for St. Ignatius, transporting the Marbridge Ranch men each Sunday to Mass during the 1970's and 1980's. His professional career involved serving the Federal Government as one of the pioneers in Computer Analysis for over thirty years. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran serving during the Korean conflict.

Paul is survived by his life-long love, Theresa Jeanette and four children, Stephen Joseph and wife Ella, Michael Shawn and wife Rebecca, Theresa Marie and husband Sam Sanborn and Patrick Shane. He was also very proud of his nine grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Nicholas, Michelle, Daniel, Jonathan, Jayne, Moriah and Joshua and four great grandchildren, Kate and Olivia Brandt, and soon to arrive baby of Moriah and baby of Michelle. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Ives of Phoenix, AZ and his nieces Linda, Annette, Karla, Mary, Denise, Roseanne, Angela and nephews, Pat, Mitch, Vincent, Mark and Anthony. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Royce and Leonard and one sister, Regina; his son, David Christopher and grandchild, Timothy.

Paul was very proud of his Irish heritage and farming background. He loved hunting and fishing in Kansas and playing a competitive game of pitch, but most of all spending quality time with his family and wife. He attended mass and prayed the rosary daily most of his life.

The Rosary will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on Thursday, April 5th, 2018 at 7 pm and the Funeral Mass to celebrate his life will be held at St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic Church on Friday, April 6th, 2018 at 10:00 am, celebrated by Reverend Charles VanWinkle, C.S.C. Entombment will follow at Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be children, Stephen, Michael, Theresa and Patrick; nephew, Vincent Struble, and niece Mary Ruth Korte. Honorary Pallbearers are grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Nicholas, Michelle, Daniel, Jonathan, Jayne, Moriah and Joshua; son-in-law, Samuel Sanborn, Jr., daughters-in law, Ella and Rebecca Palmer, longtime friends, Edward Kohl, Marble Falls, Texas, Charles McDonald, Lafayette, Colorado and Benny Flusche, Austin, Texas.