James Wendell Palmer

James Wendell Palmer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on August 9, 2026, at the age of 85. He is survived by his daughters Mary Palmer Sullivan and Sally LeBlanc and her husband Chuck; his grandsons Jake Sullivan, Zach LeBlanc, Sam LeBlanc, and Jared LeBlanc; his great-grandchildren Kade and Isla Sullivan, Finnley, Gavin, and Lexie LeBlanc, and Everleigh and Rhyann LeBlanc; and his sister Susanne (Palmer) Vest. He was preceded in death by his wife Susan Duthie Palmer, his parents William Wendell and Mary B. Palmer, and his sister Gayle Davis.

Jim was born in Burley, Idaho, to William Wendell and Mary B. Evans Palmer. His childhood took him through Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Minnesota. He graduated from Bemidji High School in Minnesota in 1959, then returned to Idaho to attend the University of Idaho, drawn by his love for the state. While majoring in architecture, he joined Phi Delta Theta and formed many lifelong friendships. In college, he met the love of his life, Susan Duthie, the 1961 Lewiston Round Up Queen. They married in June 1964, just one week after his graduation, and shared more than 60 years before Susan’s passing on August 5, 2024.

Jim and Susan began their married life in Pittsburgh, PA, and Belleville, IL, while he worked in steel decking sales. In 1969, they settled in Redmond, Washington, where they lived until 2022. In 1977, they bought their forever home and property—affectionately known as the “Palmerosa”—where they raised their daughters and built a life filled with family, hard work, and community. He proudly served his country as a specialist in the Army National Guard.

Jim spent his career in the steel decking industry, first with H.H. Robertson and later as a district sales manager for Verco Manufacturing Co. He was active in professional organizations, including Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Structural Engineers Association (SEA), supporting structural engineers and the construction industry. He loved his job so much, he did not retire until he was 70 years old. One of his proudest professional moments was supplying the steel decking for Safeco Field, giving him a unique opportunity to watch the stadium rise from the ground.

Jim wholeheartedly supported his daughters’ many 4-H projects, which brought a lively assortment of animals to the Palmerosa—dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, goats, cows, and more. But above all, Jim loved dogs. His daily walks were legendary; he returned home with stories of meeting “the nicest people” and discovering “the most beautiful dog” he had ever seen. His enthusiasm for dogs never faded.

A passionate sports fan, Jim held Seattle Seahawks season tickets for more than 35 years, starting from the team’s inaugural year in 1976. Throughout his life he continued to support his alma mater, the University of Idaho, by following Vandal sports and serving as a Vandal Booster. He loved watching the Seattle Mariners and attended as many games as he could. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted deer and elk in the Blue

Mountains of eastern Washington and made more than 15 trips to Waterfall, Alaska, fishing for salmon and halibut—adventures he treasured.

Jim loved being a dad, but becoming Papa to his four grandsons was one of the greatest joys of his life. He attended countless games—football, baseball, hockey, and soccer, always proudly cheering them on. In August 2025, he shared his love of fishing with all four boys on a memorable trip to Waterfall, Alaska, where they caught hundreds of pounds of fish and created memories that will last forever.

In 2022, Jim and Susan moved to Spokane to be closer to their daughter Mary. They lived in South Hill Village, where Jim enjoyed puttering around Mary’s nearby shop, embracing a slower pace of life, and making new friends. He loved simple routines—like having a slice of pizza at Costco—and he charmed everyone he met with his dry sense of humor and easy conversation.

Jim never met a stranger, never passed a dog without stopping, and never missed an opportunity to support the people he loved. His legacy lives on in his family, in the stories he shared, and in the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A family gathering will celebrate Jim’s life at a later date. In honor of Jim's memory, please consider making a memorial contribution to the Vandal Scholarship Fund c/o University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Drive MS3143, Moscow Idaho, ID 83844-3143 or online at https://giving.uidaho.edu/campaigns/in-memory-of-james-w-palmer