Keith Palmer Sr

Keith William Palmer Sr. passed away peacefully Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 in Colorado Springs, CO, with the large family he loved so well gathered around him. He was 91. He was born Jan. 25, 1934, near Alamosa, CO, to William Bryan and Hazel Jane Palmer.

Keith grew up in Creed and Telluride, CO. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952. He married Annabelle Faye McKellip. The couple had three children: Keith, Jane and Colleen, before Annabelle's death in 1968. He married Donna Jeanne Clark in 1970. The couple had two children: Jean and Bill. Donna also precedes him in death.

He was deployed on two tours to the Vietnam War, once as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army, 3rd Brigade, and once from Oct. 6, 1965, to May 24, 1966, after which he was awarded the Bronze Star. The medal was for extreme heroism in a military operation against a hostile force. He retired from the Army in 1972.

After his retirement from the Army, Keith taught ROTC in Canon City. Many in the area still remember him as "Sarge" and have lasting memories of their training. The family lived in Florence, CO, where he worked as a supervisor at the Department of Corrections.

Keith enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially with his kids. He is remembered as a kind-hearted man, who possessed great energy and humor. His greatest joy was his family: his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was much beloved and an important person in each and every one of their lives. Keith lived in his own home in Florence until several days before his passing. He hosted visiting family members, attended Bible studies, and went weekly for meals and to hear music at the Florence Senior Community Center.

A man of faith, he attended church over the years, or sometimes, as he phrased it, "home church." His well-worn Bible was near him at his death. He had always wanted to die under a pine tree and he did, on hospice grounds where the family found him the shade of a red pine.

He will be sorely missed by family and friends. He is survived by son, Keith William Palmer Jr. and partner Sally Ooms (Taos, NM); Deborah Jane Jensen and husband Dean (Evergreen, CO); Donna Colleen Palmer (Minneapolis, MN); Jean Louise Teel and husband Don (Colorado Springs, CO); and William David Palmer and wife Amanda (Goochland, VA); twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The Celebration of Keith's Life is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. at Cherry Valley Community Church, 9125 E. Greenland Rd., Franktown, CO 80116. A reception will follow.