Elmer Eugene "Gene" Palmer, 82, of Whitesburg, KY and formerly of Camden, MO, died on Friday, February 7, 2014 in Kentucky.

Gene was born on May 18, 1931 in Osceola, MO to Joseph Harrison and Lou Ella (Davis) Palmer. He married Virginia Ella Breshers of Marshall, MO on January 12, 1958. He later married Betty Lou Banks of Whitesburg, KY on June 14, 1983. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include; 3 sons, Philip E. Palmer of Port Angeles, WA, Joseph P. Palmer and his wife, Wendy of Winnemucca, NV, Kenneth A. Palmer of Richmond, MO, 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Ann and Steve Meierer of Richmond, MO, Virginia Lynne and Dennis "D" Camp of Richmond, MO, 2 brothers and their spouses, Don and Marie Palmer of Richmond, MO, Gayle and Judy Palmer of Richmond, MO, 3 step daughters, Debra Lane and her husband, David of Spokane, WA, Gail Hendry of Spokane, WA and Vickie Hendry of Murfreesboro, TN. Twenty-one grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren also survive.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by 1 grandson, Eric Keith Palmer.

Gene was a retired United States Air Force veteran. He served 8 years active duty and retired as a Staff Sergeant after serving a total of thirty years combined with the Air Force Reserves. He was a member of the American Legion Post #237 in Richmond. He also retired from Ford Motor Company after working there for thirty years. He was a Nazarene. He had lived in the Camden, MO area before moving to Kentucky nineteen years ago.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warriors program.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 14, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 14, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Military services will be provided by the Ray County Veterans. Inurnment will be in Cravens Cemetery near Camden, MO at a later date. On-line condolences may be left on our website at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.