Hugh Carlton Palmer Sr.

Palmer, Hugh Carlton Sr., most affectionately known as Pop, age 93, of Highland Springs, Virginia went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 20, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born in Highland Springs on April 9, 1931 to the late William Barr Palmer and Emma Mae McDowell. After graduating from Highland Springs High School, he attended Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and served as 1st Lieutenant in the Army Reserves.

He then returned to Highland Springs where he began his career as an industrial arts teacher for Henrico County Public Schools. He went on to serve for 30 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and Director of Vocational and Adult Education. Vocational education was his passion. He loved his former students and remained in touch with many of them even through his last weeks of life. After his retirement, he continued to work with the school system by serving on the Henrico County School Board for 12 years. Hugh loved life, family, and friends and always enjoyed playing a practical joke. His laughter would echo throughout the room as he told stories of his past and the pranks he pulled. He took great pride in his beautiful garden, especially his 300 tomato plants, which he planted every year, including this past summer. He had a passion for the outdoors and a love for hunting and fishing. He couldn’t wait for hunting season to start each year. Hugh was also very active in the community, serving on the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, Draft Board, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation Board, and the Henrico County Republican Committee. He was a member of New Bridge Baptist Church.

Hugh was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 31 years, Carol Duncan Palmer. He was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Bethany Carol Palmer, and his siblings Lucey Lent, George, Belvin, Harry, and Ellen Palmer, and his cousin Margaret Harris. He is survived by his three children Carl Palmer (Teri), Kim Luger (Charles), and Shannon Brooks (Robbie) and nine grandchildren Andy Gurley (Audrey), Holly Palmer, Marshall Brooks, Anna Luger, Carson Brooks, Grant Palmer, Aidan Palmer, Benjamin Luger and Landon Brooks. He is also survived by his sister Grace Wright, many nieces and nephews, and friends he treated like family.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Woody Funeral Home-Atlee Chapel, 9271 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville, VA. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Shalom Baptist Church, 8116 Walnut Grove Rd, Mechanicsville, VA. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at Washington Memorial Park, 6217 Memorial Dr, Sandston, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.