Hubert Charles Palmer

Hubert Charles Palmer was born on February 21, 1921 in Griffithstown, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. The son of Albert Palmer and Daisy Elizabeth Everson Palmer, he moved to the United States in 1928 at the age of 7 just prior to the Great Depression. Hubert became aware in the 8th Grade that he would forever dedicate his life to God and the Church. Hubert's involvement in the church began with his participation in the boy's choir and flourished throughout the rest of his life as a Priest of the Episcopal Church. By the age of 14 in 1935, he received the silver cross bearing his initials from the Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for his services to the church. His ministries would continue until January 30, 2013 when he performed the funeral of his sister-in-law, Mary Catherine "Cass" Wheeler, just 4 days before his passing.

The foundation of his life as a priest and counsellor began with his formal education where in 1942 he received a Bachelor of the Arts Degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Hubert's journey to the Priesthood began with his graduation from the Virginia Theological Seminary receiving a Master of Divinity in 1944. He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1944 before his appointment to the Priesthood in 1945 at the end of World War II. He finalized his formal education years with a Master of Education Degree from Texas State University in 1946.

On June 3, 1947, Hubert married Donna Isabelle Wilson Duff whom he had courted since 1942. When Hubert ended his simultaneous tenures as Founder and Priest-in-Charge of St. Mark's in San Marcos, St. Andrew's in Seguin and St. John's in New Braunfels in 1948 collectively, he and Donna moved to Corpus Christi where Hubert and Donna would find a new sense of welcomed change and stability in both aspects of their life together. Hubert and Donna would encounter busy but rewarding years in Corpus Christi between the years 1948-1960. For it was there that Hubert became the Associate Rector the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1948-1950, and his first tenure of significant length as Founder and Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, 1950-1959. During his time at All Saints, Hubert was also Founder and Priest-in-Charge of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Portland, Texas from 1956-1960 and Priest-in-Charge of Church of Our Saviour in Aransas Pass, Portland from 1950-52 and 1958-1960. While in Corpus Christi, his daughters Timotha Greer and Robin Jones were born.

The last 27 years of Hubert's life up to retirement was spent in Houston where he concurrently founded the Church of the Holy Spirit and Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church in 1960. Hubert's position solely as Rector of Church of the Holy Spirit would carry him right up to his retirement in 1987. By that time, Holy Spirit boasted a primary school through the 5th grade and was to add levels to the 8th grade shortly thereafter. It is imperative to note that Hubert and Donna had met some of their closest friends during the Houston years. Those very same people helped Hubert and Donna build the church, enhance the lives of their entire family and will forever be etched into the memory of Hubert and Donna as well as the whole of their family.

Lastly, from 1987 forward, the next 25 years were a bit more relaxing but still very busy for Hubert and Donna where they resided in Ingram, Texas just outside of Kerrville. Hubert continued working at full tilt with his appointment as the Chaplain of the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years, Board Member of the Hill Country Youth Ranch for 3 years as well as the President of the Board of the Kerrville Performing Arts Society. True to form, Hubert had many years as Interim Rector at churches in Brady, Montell and San Angelo where they would meet some very special people whose friendship has had a very profound effect on Hubert and Donna's life and continues to do so today. In 2012, Hubert and Donna moved to San Antonio where they were able to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren.

It is important to note that Hubert also enjoyed several prestigious appointments throughout the years. Here are some of his most memorable:

Chairman of the Music Commission- 1968

Member of the Executive Board- 1966-1969

Dean of West Harris County Convocation- 1974

Member of the Liturgical Commission- 1976

Vestry Fellow of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest- 1979

Trustee of St. Luke's Hospital- 1983-1985

For all of his work and dedication with the Church, Hubert found no greater pleasure than raising and spending his time with his daughters, wife and eventually his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The friends made throughout the years have been of a value beyond measure. The Church was his life and quite simply who he was. Hubert touched the lives of countless people in his 70 years of ministry. Hubert said fairly recently that "it has been a good life". I suppose he meant that it was because of the people out there like all of you. May God bless you all.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

9:30 A.M.

ST. PETER EPISCOPAL CHURCH

320 ST. PETER STREET

KERRVILLE, TEXAS

MEMORIAL SERVICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

2:00 P.M.

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

315 E. PECAN

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS