Donald Wayne Palmer

Longshoreman, 72Donald W. Palmer, 72, died Aug. 13, 2004 at his Ocean Park, Wash., residence.

Mr. Palmer was born Dec. 9, 1921 in Kearney, Neb., to Elmer and Beulah (Farrar) Palmer.

He grew up in Mapleton, Iowa, and at age 15, during the height of the Great Depression, lied about his age to join the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Mr. Palmer enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the South Pacific Theater. On March 11, 1944, he was wounded at Bougainville in the Solomon Islands and later honorably discharged with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Recuperating from his wounds, he earned enough money to return home to his family in Iowa where he worked odd jobs. After moving to the West Coast, he worked as a security guard at a brothel in California. He moved to Vancouver, Wash., in 1956, where he worked as a longshoreman for 15 years. In 1972, he moved to Ocean Park.

He married Evelyn Riley Dec. 13, 1941 in Iowa. She died in 1991.

Mr. Palmer enjoyed time with his family, fishing, drawing, writing poetry and traveling.

He is survived by five daughters, Janice Brumitt and Paula Fouts of Ocean Park, Pam Pousette and Tina Reagle of Vancouver, Jolene Gregory of Aloha and Brenda Ratcliff of La Center, Wash.; one son, Craig Palmer of Ocean Park; two sisters Mildred Burns of Whiting, Iowa, and Betty Gerretts of LaMars, Iowa; one brother, Gale Palmer of Sargent Bluff, Iowa; 25 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and numerous other extended family members. He was also preceded in death by twin children.

At his request, there will be no service. Private committal will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

Memorials may be made to Harbors Home Health and Hospice, in care of Penttila’s Chapel By the Sea, P.O. Box 417, Long Beach, WA. 98631.