Joel Edwin Palmer

Joel Edwin Palmer, 71, passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on September 13, 2025, following a brief and unfair fight against cancer. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 46 years, Andrea "Andy" Decuir Palmer, his son, Maxwell James Palmer (Jessica) and his three greatest blessings, his grandchildren, Jack, Beau, and Abigail Palmer.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin Lester Palmer and Loyce McDonald Palmer. He was born in Swift Current, Canada, and raised in Many, Louisiana.

Joel graduated from Many High School, before attending Louisiana State University. Joel went on to play first chair Trumpet in the LSU Tiger Band, before finishing his bachelors of Kinesiology at Northwestern University.

Joel worked in outdoor retail for close to 30 years, first at Pack & Paddle, and then at Louisiana Outfitters, and loved all things outdoors. Later in life, Joel taught at and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette while studying Recreation Therapy. He went on to work at Lafayette General Medical Center providing therapeutic recreation services to patients. In his later years, he worked as a Realtor for Caffery Real Estate. He was happily retired for several years, living his best life, when diagnosed.

Joel loved the simple pleasures in life. He enjoyed seafood, live music, cheap beer, and a good time, although he'd be the first to admit that dancing was not his forte. He was an avid paddler and fisherman all his life. He felt the most at home on the water reeling in a good fish with a lotta fight in them.

Joel was known by all as a good man and a true friend, whose warmth, ever present smile, and easygoing nature lifted spirits wherever he went.

Joel adored his wife and family. But, of all the roles he held in life, the one that made him proudest was being "Happy" to his three grandchildren, who miss him dearly.

Although his fight was brief, he had an incredible care team looking after him, including doctors at St. Tammany Hospital, The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center, LGMC, and especially his Hospice team at Heart of Hospice in Lafayette.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at The Yard Goat, Lafayette, on Saturday September 27, 2025 from 2-5 PM. Festival attire encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be collected for Heart of Hospice at The Yard Goat during Joel's memorial.