Leonard Leroy Palmer Jr.

Leonard Leroy Palmer Jr. was born June 25, 1949, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Leonard and Frances Palmer. He grew up in Illinois and Knoxville, Iowa; graduating from Knoxville High School in 1967. He served in the United State Army during Vietnam. After serving overseas, he was discharged in 1973. He spent some time in Colorado before moving back to Knoxville. Leonard was married to Kathy Wilcutt on April 10, 1982. They enjoyed 43 years together.

He drove a feed truck for Kent Feeds for a short time and was the Melcher-Dallas Police Officer for a time before working at the Knoxville Veterans Hospital for 21 years as a nurses assistant.

Leonard enjoyed the outdoors and fishing in his spare time. He also enjoyed woodworking making meany treasures for his children and grandchildren. During the Nationals he loved meeting people as he parked cars in his yard. Leonard never knew a stranger and was always quick to help those in need. He will always be remembered for his kind heart and caring attitude toward others. Leonard had a deep faith and enjoyed singing at church as he attended the Knoxville Nazarene Church and Living Word Fellowship Church.

Leonard passed away June 21, 2025. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Kathy Palmer; children: Carmen (Jesse Russell) Hewitt, Mark Palmer, and Jerry (Emily) Palmer; 11 grandchildren: Alexis Hewitt, Avery Hewitt, Jesse Russell Jr., Kaison Russell, Cole Russell, Kirsten Palmer, Lyriq Palmer, River Palmer, Miranda Palmer, Mallory Palmer, and Matthew Palmer; siblings: Peggy Santee, Joyce Hawkins, and Jim Bolio; along with many relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents: Leonard and Frances; children: Dana Palmer and Israel Palmer; and son-in-law,Tod Hewitt.