Nathaniel Maynard Palmer

Nathan was born on October 16, 1980, in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, to Mark and Gayle Palmer. His early years were spent in McMurray and Mars, Pennsylvania, before his family moved to The Colony, Texas, in 1986, where he grew up and attended The Colony High School.

From an early age, Nathan loved the outdoors. Summers often brought him back to the mountains of Pennsylvania, where hiking and trout fishing were a part of his spirit. He enjoyed camping—whether in a tent at Beavers Bend or in a cabin—and cherished the time he spent at his grandparents’ cabin in the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Nathan even conquered Mount Tom (the tallest peak in Tioga County, PA) and often dreamed of finding the hidden cave his grandfather once spoke of. He spent time with Uncle Tim, Aunt Liz, and cousins in the Deep Creek Maryland area during the summer. His adventurous spirit also carried him along trails in national parks such as Death Valley, Crater Lake, and Yellowstone.

Nathan was active in sports as a child, playing soccer, racquetball, football, and baseball. As a Little League catcher, he was admired for his skill—few runners could get past him, and his strong arm could throw them out at second base. Nathan was selected for the All-Stars two years in a row. He was also a Cub Scout, progressing from Wolf to Webelos. While his football career was brief, it left him with a lifelong love for the game.

Nathan believed deeply in lifelong learning. After high school, he attended culinary school at El Centro College in Dallas, then studied geology for a year at the University of Hawaii, and later received his associate degree from Collin County Community College.

His professional life was full of diverse experiences. In high school, he delivered pizzas for Pizza Inn. He later worked at Planet Hollywood in Honolulu, and soon after coming back to the mainland, became the first employee hired at Cotton Patch Café in Frisco. In addition, he spent several years with Xanterra working in national parks, including Death Valley, Yellowstone, and Crater Lake. Nathan’s last years he served as a senior representative in the Call Center Department at the North Texas Tollway Authority. Nathan co-wrote and published the Legends in Time series, as well as wrote numerous short stories.

Above all else, the love in Nathan’s life was his children, Emma and Ethan. He was a devoted father, always finding ways to teach, encourage, and create memories with them—whether gardening with Emma, cooking together, working on arts and crafts, or enjoying water parks, playgrounds, and community events. Nathan loved his family throughout his life. He wanted Emma and Ethan to grow up surrounded by love, close to their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all extended family. He enjoyed all the family traditions and brought those traditions to his own family. Nathan learned of his family heritage including his Nordic roots. Nathan researched the era of the Vikings and would often speak of “the Viking way”.

Nathan had many interests, including his favorite band, a German band called Rammstein. He enjoyed examining all sorts of stones wherever he went. He had a rock tumbler and turned ordinary rocks into beautiful specimens. Nathan enjoyed playing family card games, his favorites were cribbage and multi-person solitaire. He loved talking football—especially college football, with Penn State as his favorite. Nathan and his father enthusiastically watched Penn State football together. He knew NFL teams and player stats inside and out. For many years, he served as a commissioner of his Fantasy Football league, a role he looked forward to as it brought together family and friends for friendly competition.

In his final days, Nathan’s thoughts were with those he loved most—Emma and Ethan.

Nathan is survived by his wife, Rebecca Eldredge; children, Emma Palmer and Ethan Palmer; father, Mark Palmer; sister and brother-in-law, Eve and Oscar Leon; nephews, Xavi Leon, Phoenix Accipiter, and Aiden Leon; niece, Abby Accipiter; Rebecca’s parents, Terry and Debra Eldredge; her brother, Tim Eldredge; sisters, Elizabeth Eldredge and Theresa Cox, and brother-in-law, Brian Cox. He is also remembered with love by his closest friends, Jordan Benoit, Greg “Spicoli” Reneau, and Dylan Trapp, who were as close as family.

Nathan was preceded in death by his mother, Gayle Palmer, who passed in 2024.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Stonebriar Funeral Home in Frisco, Texas. The family you would like guest to wear a music band shirt or Penn State gear to honor Nathan's memory.