John Palmer

John Robert Palmer
December 22, 1929 ? December 3, 2012

John Robert Palmer, US Army (Ret.), departed peacefully at home on December 3rd. Born in Markelville, Indiana, John (and younger brother Roy) grew up during the Great Depression and attended local schools in nearby Anderson. John enlisted in the US Army in 1947, and in December 1951 was dispatched to fight in the Korean War. Wounded in action, he was hospitalized in Kobe, Japan, where he met his future wife, Hideko. Married in 1952, John and Hideko raised three sons?John Jr., Spence, and Keith--during John?s distinguished military career that was to span 27 years. Upon retiring from the Army in 1974, John pursued a second career as a federal police officer for the US Postal Service, serving 20 more years in public service. A long-time resident of Hercules and the East Bay, John enjoyed a well-deserved peaceful retirement in his golden years, and especially liked to work around the house, play bridge with friends, or simply watch a football game on TV (he loved those 49ers). A proud soldier and police officer who served his country faithfully for a total of 47 years, he embodied all the good qualities of his generation and maintained the core values that shaped his upstanding character. John was a truly good American citizen who led an exemplary life of public service. Beloved father and loving husband, he is survived by his wife Hideko, three sons (John, Spence and Keith), daughters-in-law Patti and Sallie, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Full Honors Military funeral services will be held on December 21st, 2012 at 11:30 am at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, California 95620.