James (Sugar Man) Palmer, Jr., 59, of Tampa passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at his residence.
The son of James and Mary Palmer, James was a native of Birmingham, Alabama where he attended Holy Family Elementary and Western High Schools. He also attended Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A veteran of the US Army, he served also as a deputy with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department in Augusta, Georgia and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department. All who knew him admired his great sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rosemary.
Mr. Palmer is lovingly remembered by the mother of his children, Mrs. Kathleen Palmer; his daughter, Stephanie Theresa Palmer of Tampa; his two sons, Jonathan Ray Palmer of Tampa and James Terry of Mankato, MN; two brothers, Charles Ray (Lottie) Palmer and Gerald D. Goings of Birmingham; three sisters, Dr. Dorothy Jean Palmer (Frederick) McIver of Mobile, AL, Dr. Shirley Palmer Houzer of Huntsville, AL, and Dr. Talitha Ann (Richard) Landry of Oakland, CA; special nephews, Ronald D. Goings of Birmingham, Phillip L.(Cassandra) Palmer of Memphis, TN, David Anthony (Catherine) Goings of Mission Viejo, CA, Reginal E. Palmer of Detroit, MI and Michael A. Palmer of Minneapolis, MI; special nieces, Linda T. Goings of Lansing, MI, Charlotte T. Palmer Johnson of Alpharetta, GA and Rhonda Denise Palmer of Pooler, GA; a loving sister-in-law, Odell Smith of Birmingham; and numerous other relatives and friends, including Dave Bridges & family, close and personal friends of the Palmer family since his days in the Army.
Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM with the memorial service immediately following at 11 AM on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Lake Carroll Baptist Church, 12012 No. Rome Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Miss you already. Peace out and love ya dude!!!
My heart goes out to the family of James. He will always hold a big portion of my heart. I will truly miss his love, humor, advice and cooking tips.
Stephanie and Jonathan always remember how much love your dad had for you. Remember the last hug he gave you and you will always feel his presence in your heart. Love you, Sheryl
Miss ya Jimbo
Please accept our humble condolences. Sugar Man was our friend, neighbor, and brother and we spent many wonderful hours together on Avenue L in Ensley (part of Birmingham, AL). A hole is in our hearts that is now filled with memories. May he rest in peace.
The Moorer Family
Birmingham, Alabama
To the Palmer Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will always miss and love James (Sug as we called him)here in Detroit. Sug always had a smile, a joke and a hug whenever we saw him and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. Continue to stay prayerful.
Such a nice and jovial person to have had the privilege to work with. My prayers are with his family and friends.
James Palmer was a co-worker of mine while working at the Hillsborough County Sheriff Office. He always had a smile on his face and kept everyone in his presence laughing throughout the day. Palmer was naturally humorous, but also had a kind and loving spirit. He was a generous and pleasant man. My prayers are with his family. May God bless and strengthen you.
Palmer worked with me in housing six at Orient Road Jail. He was so funny, he used to keep me laughing. I am truly distraught at learning of his passing. My prayers are with his loved ones.
Shirley Jackson
i knew james thru his friend sheryl for only a short time,…..i remember his laughter and love of cooking,……..may our Father God grant you, family, peace, comfort,and rich memories of your loved one. rheba Watkins Lee,Birmingham Al.
I worked with Palmer at the Hillsborough County Jail. He always had a joke or funny story to lift your spirits. My prays and sympathy for his family and friends. God bless.
My prayers goes out to the Palmer family. May God wrap his arms around all of you,keeping you in his graces. Working with Dep.Palmer was a true blessing. He was always in good spirits,laughing and joking. He’s going to be truly missed!
Palmer family, the memories of Sug will live forever in our hearts. Remember the good times, his smile, his laughter and his joy.
May you find peace in knowing Sug loved you and
God does too! Keeping the family in prayer.
Roz
God blessing to the Palmer Family during your time of need. Will continue to pray for each of you and keep the familys in pray. God blessing and traveling grace on your return trip home.
Dear Palmer family. Please know that you are not alone for the Bible tells us that “God is near to those that are broken at heart; And those who are crushed in spirit he saves ” (Psalms 34:18). Take heart in the Scriptures for comfort. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Uncle Palmer, thank you for being such a huge part of our family. We are so blessed to of had you in our lives for as long as we did. I’m very thankful you were in my two children’s lives. I’ll never forget all the memories made while I was growing up. Stephie, Jonathan, Jim, Kathy, we love you and are here for you!! Miss you Palmer!!!
You will always be in my heart “Sugarman”.
In all thy
Thy ways aknowledge him and he willdirect
Thy paths. Rest on sugar man I. Will see you in
Paridice
Stephenie jonathan pleaes keepin touch my e
Mail above. May God comfort you in your loss.
Love Karen and Rrodney Anderson
Some men leave their mark on the world by the way they live, love, and the difference they make in the lives they touch. Sugar Man first touched my life on Avenue L, Ensley(B’ham,AL)…a neighbor during his childhood with his mom & dad, Ms. Sweet & Jim Palmer. He re-entered my life in Detroit, MI during his adulthood with his mom. A fun-loving kid & adult will be always remembered. To the Family: Let each tear that falls be a gentle reminder that Sugar Man was that funy guy who kept a smile on Ms. Sweet’s face and all who knew him..and that is a gift that no loss or sorrow, time or distance can ever take away. Brenda Butler, Detroit, MI.
All I have to say is that I love SugarMan very much. He was here for Me in My time of need a few years ago, and I really appreciate that. He was the best medicine I could have had at that particular time. I will always Love You Bro until the end of time.
Love Always,
Gerry
I’m going to venture out and say, there’s a reason my uncle Sug had the name “Sugarman”… well, because he was as sweet as he wanted to be! He was so kind and generous. I’ll miss my uncle Sug. Stephanie, go to God for your strength baby. He will supply ALL of your needs. I love you family.
Jan. 12, 2013
Little Brother,
Life will never be the same without you. I hope you, Daddy,
Sweet, and Mother Dear, along with all the other family members are having a grand reunion.
SugarMan was my youngest uncle and we grew up together. He was always cheerful, jolly and could imitate all comedians. I am going to miss him. Whenever we talked on the phone I could hear laughter in his voice.
Missing your big smile and keen sense of humor already uncle!
Miss you Sugarman! Rest well.
Jamie
P Funk… or as my children called you “Uncle P Funk”.. My you Rest in Peace and I miss your smile. I have been blessed to have known you for so long. Ill make sure to check on your little girl and make sure she is doing ok. I love you, Palmer..
Dad, you will forever be in my heart and I miss you more than words can say. I will continue to be strong for our family as you have taught me. I will carry you with me everyday and never forget you. One day our family will be together again. Love your boo girl.
miss my buddy we will never forget your kind heart and words of wisdom thank you we love you and will never forgot you god bless