James E. "Jim" Palmer

QUEENSBURY James "Jim" E. Palmer, 87, of Queensbury, passed away, in the presence of his loving family, on Tuesday, June 24, 2008, after a long courageous struggle with cancer. Born on March 12, 1921, in Amsterdam, NY, he was the son of the late Alton J. and Lena (VanKleeck) Palmer of Galway and Amsterdam. Jim was a graduate of Wilbur Lynch High School in Amsterdam and on March 25, 1941, he married Marion L. Louer of Amsterdam. In 1960, Jim and his family moved to this area from Canajoharie. A commercial artist for over 50 years, he worked for the former Arkell and Smith, at one time located in the town of Moreau. While there, Jim was a layout artist and created many nationally recognized designs for packaging. He was best known for making major changes in Aunt Jemima's face for Quaker Oats. Other package designs Jim created were for such national brands as Ralston Purina, National Biscuit Co. and Standard Brands. He worked freelance for many years and for several different companies in this area, including Sandy Hill, Valcour Paper Company, Stevens and Thompson Paper Company in Greenwich, Rist Frost Associates, Northern Homes and was advertising manager of Warner Pruyn Home Centers. Jim retired in 1988, from Genpak Corporation in Glens Falls, where he was the art director. He was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher for the First Baptist Church of South Glens Falls and continued to be an active member in his later years as an Elder. Along with his wife, Marion, Jim was very involved with the Gideons International. Jim enjoyed playing the bagpipes for the Galloway Gaelic Pipe and Drums, and was a member of the Adirondack Pipes and Drums, serving as an officer in both organizations. He was past president of the Lower Adirondack Arts Council (LARAC). Jim continued his love of art for many years and taught weekly classes in oils and water color to seniors at the Queensbury Center. He was also a member of the Upper Hudson Valley Watercolor Society and the North Country Arts Center. Jim was a member of the Mastersingers, now known as the Adirondack Voices. Survivors besides his wife of 67 years include his son, Lauren Palmer and his wife, Susan, of Hudson Falls and his daughter, Suzette Usher and her husband, Jack, of Queensbury; his brother, Edward Palmer and his wife, Barbara, of Galway; his three sisters: Marion Elizabeth Cuckoo of Galway Lake, Shirley Vosburgh and her husband, George, of Gloversville and Dorothy Putman of Johnstown; his six grandchildren: Scott Palmer and his wife, Rene, of Glens Falls, Laurie Ecker and her husband, Lee, of Wilton, Matthew Palmer and his wife, Renee, of Heuvelton, N.Y., Stephanie Roberti, of Kingston, Maureen Usher of Queensbury and Brian Usher and his wife, Heather, of Queensbury; his 10 great-grandchildren: Hannah, Jeffrey and Jacob Roberti, Lauren, Bradley and Nicole Ecker, Katie and Jack Palmer and Benjamin and Samuel Palmer; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Friday, June 27, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., in Hudson Falls. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2008, at The First Baptist Church of South Glens Falls with the Rev. Jeremy McDougall, officiating. Burial will be in Seeley Cemetery in the town of Queensbury, at a later date. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Gideons International, 2900 Lebanon Road, Nashville, TN 37214-0800, The First Baptist Church of South Glens Falls, 383 Saratoga Road, South Glens Falls, NY 12803 or The American Cancer Society, 959 Route 9, Mount Royal Plaza, Queensbury, NY 12804. Online condolences may be made by visiting our Web site at www.carletonfuneralhome.com.