Wayne Palmer

Wayne Dennis Palmer of Albemarle, NC passed away in his home on March 15 , 2023. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00PM on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Rev. Cathy George will officiate and interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Park with Military Honors.

Born in Albemarle NC, he was the son of the late John H. Palmer(deceased) and Beulah Ingold Palmer(deceased). Upon graduation from Albemarle High School in 1954 he enlisted in the US Air Force. He served his country for 4 years, of which 2 years he was stationed overseas as a jet engine mechanic with Secret Clearance granted. Following his military service, he attended Clemson University; completing his education and earning a business degree at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. In his professional career he worked for Martin Marietta, General Foods Corp., and First Union National Bank in Charlotte, NC. The University of Georgia recognized Palmer as the Number One Interviewer in the field of Human Resources. While with First Union he rose from Recruiter to the position of Assistant Vice President in Training and Development. Shortly thereafter he was promoted to Director of the Training and Development Department, becoming its' Vice President in the Management Development Division. Many years later in his career he joined Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. in Denver, NC as the Manager of Training and Safety, and continued to work in the Cockpit Resource Management Program for the company. Prior to his retirement Palmer was self-employed as a consultant to corporations and became a licensed realtor in NC. He was a member of the American Society for Training and Development, the American Management Association, the North Carolina Placement Association, the Southern College Placement Association, and American Legion Post No. 0520.

For many years he sang in the First Presbyterian Church Choir in Albemarle, where he was a lifelong member. He served on the Stanly County Chorale Board of Directors as Treasurer and the Stanly County Arts Council Board of Directors as President. In addition he served the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation as Chair of different committees. Palmer is remembered by his community and friends for his tireless efforts to the creation of Stanly County Liberty Gardens and Memorial Park in Albemarle, to pay tribute to victims of September 11th, 2001. His vision was to take a littered vacant lot and turn it into a preserved memorial, and to honor the service of veterans, firemen, and law enforcement, too. He started fundraising with selling hot dogs and hamburgers, establishing an annual golf tournament, knocking on corporate doors, calling on small businesses, selling commemorative bricks, benches and lampposts which was the beginning of a 4-year long project to completion. Palmer worked to create and complete the memorial by also planting flower bulbs, azaleas, and trees. He drove his pickup many miles for donations of supplies from other parts of the state.

Palmer was overwhelmed with the generosity and help given by so many to the completion of his vision. He referred to the project as being his pride and joy, and never failed to extend credit and his gratitude to many others. His accomplishment was recognized in 2005 with the Certificate of Appreciation award from Chairman Art Rogers, on behalf of the ADDC Board of Directors. Following in 2006 Palmer was the recipient of the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit from Preservation North Carolina for his vision, and leadership toward the creation of Stanly County Liberty Gardens and Memorial Park. Palmer's hobbies and other interests were hiking, sketching, painting, wood and relief carving, as well as designing . A highlight of his talent was "Mind Meets Hand" of his pencil sketches in the Winter Art Gallery Exhibit at the 1982 Worlds Fair Expo, Knoxville, TN.

Mr. Palmer is survived by his twin sister, Ellen Crews of Thomasville, NC. Also surviving is his friend and end-of-life caregiver, Ms. Becky Wallace.

Proceeding him in death are 3 brothers, John (Jack) Palmer, Jr., Robert (Bob) Palmer, and Charles (Dick) Palmer.

On behalf of Wayne Palmer, he had requested in lieu of flowers that memorials or donations be made to the following: The Eben and Becky Wallace Endowed Scholarship Fund %Montgomery Community College 1011 Page St. Troy, NC 27371; or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wayne Palmer, please visit our floral store.