Eugene (Gene) Clayton Palmer

illness. Visitation will be held at Pinson United Methodist Church Saturday, December 21st, 2013, at 10:00 AM with the service following at 11:00 AM with Rev Bob Murray and Rev Dallas Culver officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining Marvin’s Chapel Cemetery. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn Hill Palmer of Vestavia , son Stephen Eugene Palmer (Jamie) and granddaughter Chelsea Vail Palmer all of Virginia Beach, VA, and grandson Captain Brian Clayton Palmer, USMC, San Diego CA. Also surviving are special in-laws Janice, LaWayne, Kelley, David, Brooke and Thomas Fleming. He was a member of the U S Navy during WWII serving in the Marshall and Marianna Islands. As a member of the “greatest generation”, he had a great love of country, was a big supporter of the military and a true patriot. He retired as a manager from the Social Security Administration with 30 years of service. He loved being a “gentleman farmer” raising beef cattle at his Pinson farm and was an avid sports fan and “Crimson Tide” supporter. A great athlete, he lettered in 3 sports at Woodlawn H.S. and 4 years in basketball at the Univ of Alabama as a starting Center and Forward. He was a proud member of the “A” Club and U of A Alumni Association, as well as a 50-year member of the Downtown YMCA. He received his B.A. degree from the U of A with graduate studies at Howard College now Samford University. Until his illness he was an active member of Pinson UMC serving on several committees and a longtime member of the Administrative Council. In January 2006 he attended, as usual, his Church’s Wednesday night supper and Bible Study before his next day trip to the hospital for tests. He did not return home for 64 days due to heart surgery complications that he was never able to completely overcome. While fighting a long and courageous battle, he continued to have an amazing sense of humor and a gentle spirit. We are so grateful for the Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Radio/Internet broadcast. He was able to worship and sing, for almost 8 years, with the printed worship guide and radio broadcast provided live each Sunday. Our thanks to Pinson UMC and VHBC for their prayerful support, as well as personal and prayer cards sent throughout these many years. Memorials may be made to Pinson UMC, 4507 Bud Holmes Rd, Pinson, AL 35126 or the VHBC Radio/Internet Ministry, 2600 Vestavia Dr. Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.