Kenneth Leroy Palmer

Kenneth L. Palmer passed away peacefully at Providence Centralia Hospital on September 29, 2017, surrounded by family. He was born in Centralia on August 23, 1933 to Cecil and Elsie Palmer. Ken, the eldest of three children, grew up in Galvin, attending the Galvin School and graduating from Centralia High School in 1952.

He then joined the United States Army and graduated from Army Field Forces Leadership Training. He spent two years serving our country in Austria.

Ken married Charlotte Alene Wright of Centralia on May 4, 1957. Ken became a Journeyman Ironworker in 1960, moving the family to Federal Way in 1962, then to Alaska in 1977. During their time in Alaska, Ken worked as an Ironworker and a commercial door technician for 25 years. He started building steam, diesel, and electric trains, and was a member of the Alaska Live Steamers Club.

Following his retirement in 1995, Ken and Alene built a new home across a field from the railroad tracks in Wasilla, near the Alaska Live Steamers Club. Ken would keep track of the train schedules, and, much to his delight, all the engineers would blow their whistles when they went by.

When the Palmers moved back to Centralia in 2002, Ken & Alene bought a home in Salzer Valley, where Ken built tracks around their property. Many children of all ages rode on his trains both in Alaska and Centralia. Many of these riders were occasionally derailed, which only added to the fun. Ken was honored in an Ironworker Pinning Ceremony in August of 2015 in Anchorage, Alaska, receiving his 55 year pin.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Elsie Palmer; sister, Marie Palmer; and granddaughter, Charlotte Kay Reas.

Ken is survived by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte Alene (Wright) Palmer; brother Glenn Palmer (Lois Gibson); sister Faye Palmer Spencer (Earl); children Michael (Karen), Tom (Carol McClain), Charlotte Reas (Tom), and Jill Johnson (Doug); eleven grandchildren nine great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life with military honors will be held at Centralia Church of the Nazarene, 1119 W. First Street, Centralia, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 8.