Obituary of Rick Palmer

Funeral services for Rick Palmer, age 64, of Sulphur Springs will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 7, 2012 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Redmond officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove North Cemetery with Ronny Doss of Sulphur Springs, Nelson Hogg of Lubbock, Larry Blount of Sulphur Springs, Bill Martin of Carizzo Springs, David Boyce of Oklahoma City and Joe Kennedy of Sulphur Springs serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be George Sell of Amarillo, Harold Wright of Sulphur Springs, Millard Bennett of Junction, Bill Onstott of Cypress, Butch Adams of Sulphur Springs, Gary Thompson of Sulphur Springs, Fred Lewis of Sulphur Springs, Fred Bruce Parker of Stephenville, Rick Perry of Austin, Michael O’Rourke of Dallas, Mark Bassham of Cooper, Tommy Evans of Sulphur Springs, David Brewer of Sulphur Springs and the Masonic Lodge #221 and the Officers of Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until noon, Friday, September 7, 2012 at First Baptist Church. Rick passed away Monday, September 3, 2012. Ricky Lynn Palmer was born on March 17, 1948 in Sulphur Springs the son of Morris and Janie (Burns) Palmer. He married Barbara Evans on December 21, 2005. She survives. Rick was a 1966 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and graduated from East Texas State University, (now Texas A&M, Commerce),in 1970, with the first Agribusiness Bachelor of Science degree, a double major and Graduate School of Banking, LSA, in Baton Rouge, LA in 1977. After graduation, Rick was hired by the Farmers Home Administration in Lamesa, TX, as Assistant County Supervisor. In 1973 Rick was offered a commercial banking position as Vice President and Agricultural Lending Officer by First National Bank in Lamesa, TX, and in 1977 moved to First National Bank of Lubbock at a Senior Vice President and Commercial and Agricultural Lending Officer. After returning to Sulphur Springs in 1979, Rick became the Charter President and CEO of First National Bank of Sulphur Springs and in 1991-1996 was President and CEO of First American Bank in Sulphur Springs. Rick was an Eagle Scout, 32nd degree Mason, Chamber of Commerce President, Deputy Sheriff – Delta County, TX, Masters Class Pistol Competitive Shooter, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse for 16 years. Rick was an avid hunter and a big supporter of the NRA and TSRA. In addition to his wife Rick is survived by his mother, sons, Bryan Palmer and wife Ann of Hurst, Jason Palmer and wife Monique of Garland, Clint Palmer and wife Mandy of Sherman, grandchildren, Sarah, Lauren, Noah, Will, Kate and Avery, brother, Donny Palmer and wife Patty of Austin, sister, Marsha Reid and husband David of Rockport , his first wife Ruth Palmer of Sulphur Springs and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Beckham Missionary Baptist Church, c/o Gary Thompson, 375 CR 4763, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482; Boy Scouts of America at http://aplacetogive.scouting.org ; Masonic Lodge, 105 Oak Avenue, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482; or to Future Farmers of America at www.ffa.org. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com