Daris Palmer Obituary (1954

Our beloved Daris Palmer finished his earthly race in the early morning hours of April 11th, 2015 passing swiftly into the loving arms of our Savior. His journey began 60 years ago in Rexburg ID and while a young boy the family moved to Othello, WA where they worked together to transform their land of sagebrush into a productive farm. Daris was a natural cowboy and garnered the title of Pony Palmer by his friends. He fondly relived stories of riding across the road to the ponds where forts were built and fun was had. A gifted athlete, Daris earned the title of both All State and All Conference in football in his junior year in high school. The stage was set for Daris's professional life as he developed a strong work ethic while a young boy working for farmers, and in the processing plants. He became the youngest manager Carnation employed at the time. He credited his uncle for teaching him the skills of carpentry that were the foundation of his contracting career and his dad for showing him livestock management skills. Soon after high school, Daris and Christine Keeney married and 3 beautiful daughters, Rebecca, Amanda, and Mary soon came. A crossroads came and Daris and Chris took different paths. Daris then moved to Yakima and worked at Petrolane where he met his beautiful Barbara Payne whom he married and cherished till her passing in 2004. Their marriage was blessed with a lovely daughter, Sarah. Daris farmed acres of hay fields and Sarah spent many an hour at her Dad's side in the fields. He smiled at memories of her riding her pony from the field in Selah to the grocery store to buy milk and donuts for the crew and how she gleefully exclaimed once how her pony was 'a jumper, Daddy.' The family enjoyed life on their farm in West Valley raising hay cattle and various animals. Horses were always a big part of the picture on the farm and many happy hours were spent there with friends and family enjoying a great meal and good times. In 2005 Daris asked Dixie Cleary to dance. Two broken hearts came together becoming best friends and helping each other's hearts mend and find joy again. The two were married and moved to the highlands where they found contentment raising cattle, transforming their home, and enjoying the beautiful vistas that surrounded them. Many good times with family were spent at the 'little red house in the mountains'. The great joy in their life was when Sarah (Mike Bok) and Dixie's son Todd and daughter Tonia (Nick Morrow) came out with the '6 head' of grandchildren, Daris (Buddy), Madi Mae, Brayden, Natalee, Cole and Brodee. The heart that beat in Daris was one of honest, sincere compassion and he had many stories of kindness extended to others. If he knew you were in need, he made sure to do whatever he could to fill that need. Many were the recipient of vegetables from his garden, feed for their animals, reading lessons, repairs to their homes or even a listening ear and great big bear hug. Daris started the morning singing a song of love with lyrics from his heart. Everywhere he went he made a friend and lucky were those who were fortunate to hear one of his tales. Daris is preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Rosena (Mortensen) Palmer, a sister, LaRee Overfield (Kenneth and Iris) and his wife Barbara. His surviving siblings are LeAnn (Carl) Tosh, Linet (Chuck) Shields, Dell (Linda), and Doyle (Karen) Palmer and their children. He loved his numerous nieces and nephews and reflected happily on the good times at sledding parties, holidays, packing trips and stories around a camp fire. Daris will be so greatly missed by his family and friends. He was an example to us all and the void he leaves is deep, very deep. He loved the Lord and in our sorrow we can find hope from the Word; John 5:28-29 (KJV) Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life ... No more tearsHallelujah! A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Adventist Development Relief Agency at ADRA.org, Love INC of Yakima, or Junior Achievement of Yakima.