Richard M. (Toolie) Palmer, age 94, went home to his Lord, Thursday, April 15, 2010.
Toolie was born on April 16, 1915 in Fillmore, Ca. to George and Tulip Palmer. He had one brother, Lawrence, who preceded him in death. While attending U.C. Santa Barbara, he met, fell in love with, and married Katherine Smith, his wife of 72 years.
Toolie loved sports and wanted to be a coach and educator. He attended Ventura College, University of San Francisco, and U.C. Santa Barbara. His first job after college was at the McKinley Home in Van Nuys where Toolie was a counselor and recreation director. Later, he was a physical education instructor, counselor, and coach for 32 years at Fillmore High School where he touched many students' lives. He was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.
In retirement, Toolie got interested in Australian Bark Pictures. He has sold and given away many pictures that hang in Fillmore homes as well as homes around the world. Toolie and his wife Katherine traveled extensively and loved learning about new places and people. Slide shows of their travels have been a cherished and entertaining family tradition for many years.
Toolie is survived by his loving wife, Katherine, his son and daughter-in-law, Dick and Lois Palmer of Australia, his daughter, Paula Suttle of Fillmore, his grandchildren; Randy Suttle and his wife Lisa, Matt Suttle and his wife Linda, Kym Suttle Peritore, Justin and husband Ross Temby, great-grandchildren; Brina, Arin, Tate, Lauren, Christian, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, and Madeline.
Toolie will be greatly missed by his family and all the friends and students who were touched by his life. A memorial celebrating his life will be held at Faith Community Church, 355 D Street, Fillmore, Ca. 805-524-5564 on Saturday, May 1, at 11 a.m. When you've learned all you can learn, and taught all you can teach, you graduate. Happy Graduation, Toolie!