Charles Edward Palmer
10/22/1910 – 05/01/09
Charles Palmer, known to family and friends as Chuck, passed away on May 1, 2009 at 98. He lived independently, with help from his family in the Renton home until April 20, 2009, when he entered the hospital.Chuck was born October 10, 1910 in Windthorst, Saskatchewan, Canada to Charles Davy and Sarah Anne Leland. Both of his parents immigrated to Canada from England with his three sisters Ethel, Edith, Gertrude and grandmother Sarah. Chuck and his sister, Mabel, were born in Windthorst.The family moved to Broadview, Manitoba to operate a farm. A younger sister, Grace was born.Chuck, his sisters, Edith, Mabel and Grace moved with their parents to Cathcart in 1924. Chuck attended Snohomish High School, Lincoln High School and West Seattle High School.After high school, Chuck started his own business – a lumber yard just down the street from his parents’ café. Chuck also played the drums, saxophone and clarinet with various bands to help make ends meet. He played at the Silver Slipper, Doc Hamilton’s and other clubs in Seattle. He also purchased a dump truck and headed over to Eastern Washington to work on the Grand Coulee project for a short time.Depression years were hard but Chuck was never without a job. He dug graves, hauled coal and wood, logged, and worked at the Pacific Car and Foundry in Renton. His permanent career path was carpentry. Chuck helped build many beautiful homes in the Puget Sound area. He was a master craftsman. The year 2009 marked his 60th year as a lifetime member of the Local 1797 Carpenters Union. Chuck moved to Renton Hill in 1938 and built his own dream home on Renton Hill in 1957.Charles had an amazing life. He was one of the hardest workers that you would ever meet. He shared his great sense of humor and helped fill family gatherings with laughter. Growing up through the depression, Chuck was thrifty. He taught all of us the value of the dollar.Chuck was a natural musician. He played clarinet, saxophone and drums in high school. He continued on to play in several bands up until retirement. He was an active member of the Renton Eagles Club for many years playing drums and saxophone. He was a 70 year life-time member of the Musicians’ Union. In retirement, he learned to play the organ and keyboard, leaving a treasury of taped recordings.Also, in retirement he became a master gardener. He once had over 40 tomatoes on one vine. He was an avid newspaper reader and had a sharp mind all of his life. We will miss him dearly, but will cherish memories of him forever.Charles was preceded in death by Pearl, his wife of 56 years in 1996; and her son, Edward Cox in 1996. He was a loyal husband, caring for Pearl who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for several years. He is survived by son Don Palmer of Damascus, OR; sister Grace Baum of Edmonds, WA; grandchildren Linda Kettel of Kent WA, Darryl Cox of Chehalis, WA, Stephen Palmer of Newberg, OR, and Sheryl Palmer-Nichols of Los Angeles, CA; 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grand-children, nephews, Frank Figg, Ron Figg, and Kenneth Welch; nieces, Barbara Slaughter, Joan Belliveau, and Velma Cole.Visitation will be held at Greenwood Memorial Funeral Home, Renton, WA on Friday, May 8, 2009 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The service will be held following visitation at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8th. Remembrances may be made to the King County Medic One.
