Lt. Col. Raymond R. Palmer Jr.

Lt. Col. Raymond R. Palmer, Jr., USAF, Ret., age 87, a resident of Nashua, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at The Huntington at Nashua.  He was the beloved husband of Hazel A. (Skinner) Palmer for 64 years.

He was born in Middletown, CT on May 29, 1932 and was the son of the late Raymond R. and Ethel (Baldwin) Palmer. Ray was raised in Connecticut until he moved with his family to Dallas Texas. He attended the University of Texas and graduated from Southern Methodist University. He received his masters degree in Logistics Management while serving in the Air Force. He served as a procurement and manufacturing staff officer in the Air Force for 20 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He continued his career as a civilian working for the Air Force as a contract manager with Raytheon. He was well known as a tough and fair negotiator throughout his career. 

Ray was an intense and driven young man who matured through his Christian faith into a gifted, generous and loving listener. He valued efficiency, resourcefulness, competency and hard work but grew more and more patient as he aged. Ever the astute manager he could see and help others focus on their goals. He was always the smartest and quietly funniest man in the room.

In addition to his loving wife, Raymond is survived by his three children and their families: his daughter, Linda Mayer, her husband, Fred Mayer of Hudson and their children and spouses; Paul Mayer and Jess Ernst of Boston and Maria Mayer Mahoney and Max Mahoney of San Mateo, California, his daughter, Kathryn Morris and her husband Jerrold Morris of Salem, NH, and their children and their partners; Angelique Morris and Russell Young of Miami, FL, Rachel Morris and Steve Gioe of North Providence, RI, and Daniel Morris and Skylar Deviller of Londonderry, NH, his son, Mark Palmer, Mark’s partner Catherine Nickola and Mark’s children; Brittany Palmer and her husband, Ryan Erwin of Tacoma, WA, Christopher Palmer of Manchester, NH, and Marisa Palmer of Debary, FL. 

He is also survived by his sister Gail Cobb and her husband, Bill Cobb, his sister Nancy Palmer and his sister Shirley Phillips, all of Texas, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. 

Ray’s family would like to gratefully acknowledge Dave, a friend and mentor to Ray for many years as well as all the devoted caregivers at the Kent Nursing wing of the Huntington at Nashua for their wonderful service to Ray as he battled Parkinson’s disease. We also extend our deepest thanks to Caren Vitagliano and Judith Otono of Visiting Angels for their devotion and professionalism. 

Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 4pm to 7pm at the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD.  Family and friends are invited to gather at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, LEXINGTON on Saturday at 11 o’clock for his Funeral Service.  Interment will follow in Heart Pond Cemetery, CHELMSFORD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd., Lexington, MA 02421 or the Salvation Army, 150 Appleton St., Lowell, MA 01852.  Funeral Director Paul A. Hardy, Jr. For directions and online condolences visit CHELMSFORDFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.