Jimmy Palmer

Jimmy was a great occasional attendee of the Doodlum Deer Drive and Squirrel Chili Feast. He always had great stories to share...RIP, Jimmy

Jimmy was a great friend and a joy when he joined us for the "Doodlum Deer Drive and Squirrel Chile Feast" in Virginia. He also created our Doodlum Anthem which we sing every year! We will miss talking with him.

I first knew Jimmy from the Attorney General`s office in the 70s. I was his secretary for years at DEQ, and I have never worked for and with a more knowledgeable dedicated person. I got to know Jimmy and Brenda and his family over the years- what a great family they were! May God wrap his loving arms around his family and give them comfort. He will be missed by so many Carla Lucas.

I had the honor and fond memories of working with Jimmy when he arrived to the EPA R4 office. Truly sorry to hear the news of his passing. Prayers to the families and friends who lost both Brenda and Jimmy and so close together.

I worked closely with Jimmy for 12 years. First when I was director of EPA´s Gulf of Mexico Program. Jimmy, as the Program´s Executive Committee and Executive Director of the Mississippi DEQ, provided critical leadership and guidance for me as we worked the environmental challenges confronting the Gulf. In 2002 Jimmy asked me to move to Atlanta to serve as the Water Division Director under his leadership as the EPA Regional Administrator. The more I worked with Jimmy the more my respect for him grew. His knowledge, his respect for the law, and his intense curiosity about just about everything were his hallmarks. Our relationship was one of work colleagues, but I also considered him a friend. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. He spoke so often of Brenda that I knew they had a deep, loving relationship. May they rest in peace together.

Mr. Palmer was the Regional Administrator when I transferred from Region 1 in Boston to Region 4 in Atlanta in late 2006. I remember him fondly. He was knowledgeable and had an incredible work ethic. He also avoided the public eye - making my job in the press office a bit hard. My condolences to his family and friends.

I speak of Jimmy frequently when explaining how a leader sets a course that makes you want to follow. When he arrived at EPA staff were unsure how things would go, but after my first meeting with him I knew things would go well. We met and he said, I think I know what I´m going to do, but here´s your opportunity to tell me what you think I should do. Aftwards he thanked me for the explanation and then explained why he was doing something slightly different. He gave me a reason why he chose a different route but made it clear that he appreciated my advice. Later, I got a call for a meeting and he said "well you were right. I´m going to take the path that you suggested". Made an impression on me that I have passed down to younger staff. Appreciate the effort and insight of others and they will do everything in their power to help you achieve mutual goals.

My condolences to the family at your loss. I knew Jimmy over many years, when he with the State, then the Region and his post-federal days. As Regional Administrator, Jimmy was instrumental in assisting municipalities to further site revitalization after ensuring effective Environmental cleanup. God bless him and his family.

I knew Jimmy for many years and worked with him professionally for many of those years. He was smart, personable and was a true expert in environmental law. There is a long list of people for whom he was such a great mentor. He had a servant´s heart and the State of Mississippi is a better place because of his service. So many will miss him!

Jimmy Palmer was one of the great leaders of the State of Mississippi. His leadership as Director of the DEQ made great achievements for that agency and the State of Mississippi. He was a dear friend and we will all miss him. Ben Stone

As I approach 66 years of age I have grown accustomed to the passing of many friends, colleagues and family members. But the news of "Mr Palmer´s" death hit me particularly hard. He was my boss at DEQ where I developed deep appreciation and tremendous respect for this great man. I could write volumes about how fine of a man Mr Palmer was. But I will succinctly say that Mr Palmer was absolutely one of the finest men I have ever met in my 65 years.

Rest in Peace, Mr Palmer.