Albert Palmer

Albert Belton Palmer, age 74, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away unexpectedly March 28, 2022, at Banner Del Webb Hospital in Sun City West surrounded by family. Albert was the second child and oldest son born to Alma Belton Palmer and Laura Hardy Palmer in Winslow, Arizona, on May 1, 1947. Al grew up in Flagstaff as a young boy while his dad was attending NAU. His family moved to Show Low, Arizona, where he graduated from Snowflake Union high school in 1965. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably for 3 years during the Vietnam era. When he was discharged, he was accepted at NAU, and after only being there only a few weeks, he met the love of his life Doris Huish Palmer. Al and Doris were married in the LDS temple in Mesa on July 25, 1969. They began their married life in Douglas, Arizona, where he attended Cochise College and Doris completed her first teaching assignment. They were blessed by the birth of their first child, Melanie Ann in Douglas. After working various jobs and completing his college degree, they transferred to Mesa, Arizona, so that he could attend ASU. He carried a full load, worked a number of part-time jobs and brought 2 sons into the family: Justin Scott and Chad Ryan. He completed his degree in Business Administration on August 6, 1976. He then moved his family to Reseda, CA, for training with Mobil Oil Corporation. He spent most of his professional career with Mobil and Carioca Oil in Arizona where he ended up adding one more son to the family Jeremy Shane. He raised his family in Peoria, Arizona, and concluded his career as a Business Consultant in the US and Canada, and a Lead Tax Preparer with Jackson Hewitt. Al was very active in his church and held multiple callings including leadership and teaching positions as well as the Boy Scout program where he helped a record number of boys reach the rank Eagle Scout. He was able to serve a BYU-I Pathway mission with his favorite companion, Doris, for five years where they witnessed many miracles, strengthened testimonies, improved leadership and teaching skills, not to mention the achievement of college degrees. Being an avid sports enthusiast, he also coached his 3 sons in Pop Warner football and Cactus Little league baseball. Al and Doris loved being able to travel extensively to Europe, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, British Isles, Canada, and the Caribbean. He was happiest making memories with his family: taking his family on vacations to Lake Tahoe, Disneyworld, Mexico, SeaWorld, Disneyland, Colorado and Utah, as well as ATVing his beloved White Mountains with his brother Stan and the laughter-filled adventures with brother-in-law, Jay. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Melanie. Survivors include his wife Doris, son Justin (Megan), Chad (Kimberly), Jeremy (Ashley) and 12 grandchildren: Ty, Saige, Cade, Sydney, Rylie, Ellie, Rock, Titan, Steele, Finley, Navy, and Remi, as well as sisters Lorna Rhoton, Darlene Hitchcock, Laureen Bryce, Pam Edwards, Renee Hughes, and brother Stan. A Family Celebration of Life for immediate family will be held Saturday, April 2, 2020. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved daughter Melanie at Resthaven Cemetery April 4, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona, with military honors. We will miss his unconditional love, never-ending service, and his “Santa-sparkle” smile …