Gerald "Jerry" Eugene Palmer

Gerald “Jerry” E. Palmer passed away on June 3rd , 2024 in Estes Park, he was 87. He was born on December 7th, 1936 in Frederick, Colorado to Jeremiah “Jerry” R. Palmer and Pauline K. (Root) Palmer. He was the oldest of three boys. His family moved often in his early years finding themselves in Byers, Frederick, and Denver, CO., Martin, SD., Bozeman, MT., and finally Steamboat Springs, CO. where he graduated from high school in 1954. He graduated from UNC Greeley with degrees in Mathematics and Physics in 1964.

He married Patricia K. (Daughters) Palmer on October 20th, 1962 in Winner, SD. They lived in Wyoming, Alaska and finally settled in Colorado (Greeley, Fairplay and Estes Park 1973-present). They have two sons, Christopher D. Palmer (1966) and Rory T. Palmer (1969).

Along the way, Jerry developed many interests and talents as well as an entrepreneurial spirit. After school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Elmendorf AFB where he was on the ski team and in the jazz band. He was an avid and accomplished skier and ski instructor having taught skiing in Minnesota and Estes Park (Hidden Valley). Aviation and flight were always on his mind, achieving his private pilot license in the mid 70’s flying single and multi-engine airplanes for several years afterward. He was also a boating enthusiast having successfully campaigned racing boats, as well as enjoying family boating on Lake Powell. Other interests included motorcycles and classic cars.

Jerry was self employed most of his adult life. He had several businesses over the years including a petroleum company/gas station, motorcycle and snowmobile dealership, restaurant, (many of these he also built the buildings for), boat trailer manufacturing, utility construction and excavation where he built large housing developments, and finally high-end custom homes from excavation through turnkey finish in personal developments. He also volunteered as Larimer County deputy sheriff for a brief period.

He enjoyed landscape/gardening, wildlife watching, his pet dogs and parrots, riding motorcycles, crossword puzzles, vacationing at Lake Powell and spending time with his buddies in the morning at Kind Coffee.

He is preceded in death by his mother (1958), his father (2006) and his brother Robert (2022).

He is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Christopher and Rory (Manirat) as well as his brother John (Sharon) along with many nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren.

Jerry was extremely driven, inventive, generous and looked up to by many. He had a quick wit and good sense of humor and will be missed.

Allnutt Funeral Service Estes Park Chapel is honored to walk alongside this family. Please visit Allnuttestespark.com to leave messages for the family.