Jerry Elvin Palmer

Jerry Elvin Palmer, age 84, of The Woodlands, Texas passed away on Saturday March 10, 2018 with his wife and daughter by his side. Jerry was born July 19, 1933 in Houston to Walter Leslie and Leona Lucille Palmer. He was raised with his five brothers and one sister in Genoa, Texas. Jerry graduated from Pasadena High School as a star athlete in both basketball and football. After graduation, he followed the family legacy, working as a longshoreman at the Houston Ship Channel before joining the Army in 1953. He proudly served his country as an assistant instructor in the helicopter training division at Fort Rucker in Alabama from 1953 to 1956.

A few years later, he met the love of his life, Marilyn Joyce Meyers, at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Houston. They married on May 27, 1960 and settled in their new home in Channelview, Texas. That same year, he graduated from barber college, becoming a fully licensed barber. In 1964, Jerry and Marilyn decided to move to Palestine, Texas where they raised their three children with the love and support of Jerry's in-laws, Roland and Ethel Meyers. In 1968, Jerry began a new career with the Texas Highway Department, where he worked until his retirement in 1992. During his time with the Highway Department, he won many service awards and became a Crew Supervisor. Jerry was an active member and head usher at First United Methodist Church in Palestine for many years and enjoyed volunteering at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center.

In 2006, Jerry and Marilyn moved to Friendswood and then finally settled in The Woodlands at The Forum to be close to their daughter. For the last 11 years, Jerry had the support of his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends as he bravely battled Alzheimer's.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Marilyn, daughter Susan who lives in Spring, son Mark and wife Julie from Keller, son Michael and wife Lori from Beaumont, granddaughters Lauren and Dylan, grandson Zach and wife Tessa, and grandson Dakota. He is also survived by his brothers Earl and Wayne Palmer, sister Jeannette Johnson, and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. The family would like to thank Jerry's "adopted" daughters Jenny and Paula Krouse and Becky Fletcher for their love and support during the last 11 years. And also, the nurses and staff at The Forum in the Woodlands. The final years of Jerry's life were happy because he knew he was loved.

A visitation for Jerry will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. Followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.

A committal service will 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to The Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org. He has a memorial page set up by the family under his full name Jerry Elvin Palmer.

The link is

http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=461424&fr_id=1060&pg=fund

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the Palmer family.