Leenon C. Palmer

Leenon C. Palmer, affectionately known as Jack , passed away on January 11, 2025 at the age of 93. He left this world from his comfortable home, surrounded by his loving family, and leaving a legacy of love, strength and determination. Jack was born the youngest of 12, on August 3, 1931 in Hickey, Tennessee, to Mary (Wallace) Palmer and Robert Palmer. His siblings, all predeceased him. They were, Winnie, Ernest, Thurman, Byron (Barn) John (Byrd), Vinnie, Alene, Louise, her twin Irene, James ( Junior) and Dixie (a twin to Jack).

He was loved and will be greatly missed by his daughter, Catherine (Kathie) Reitano, grandchildren Krissa Weaver, and Jason Weaver, great grandchildren Amber Weaver, Jason Weaver and Dominique and Bruce Smith, also great great grandchildren Skylar and Ryder Anderson, and Cameron Mayer, his sister and brother in laws, Theodora Manousos (Vasili), Christopher Peponis (Margarita), and Gus Peponis (Margaret), Jack was predeceased by his loving son, Michael Palmer, and son in law, Alfio (AJ) Reitano . He often said that AJ was like a son to him. He will be missed by his many, many nieces and nephews as well as numerous friends he made over the past 70 years.

Jack grew up in a small town and at the age of 18 ventured to the big city of Detroit to seek employment. He worked as a cab driver, gas station owner and on the assembly line at Chrysler Corp. Jack then learned the trade of Tool Maker and worked at Quality Chaser Company where he became Foreman and eventually Supervisor until he retired. One of his greatest hobbies was rollerskating and at the age of 20 he met Sophia, at Motor City Skating Rink. They soon fell in love and were married at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church where he proudly became a member and eventually a board member. Jack learned to speak fluent Greek and was able to communicate well with his father and mother in law, Michael and Catherine Peponis who loved him and thought of him as their own. Together with Sophia they raised their two children, Catherine and Michael in a loving and nurturing home. Besides skating, Jack had many hobbies which included traveling, repairing small machinery (lawn mowers were his favorite), having garage sales, golfing, gardening, and dancing the Jitter Bug (swing). Jack was a self taught musician and artist. He loved the guitar and was often heard playing and singing in his home or out on his deck. His beautiful artwork hangs on the walls throughout his home.

In their 72 years of marriage he and Sophia divided their time between their homes in Michigan, Harsens Island and Tennessee where you could often find him on Big Red, his favorite tractor, mowing his property "down south" or his other favorite, Cub Cadet, mowing his 3 acres at his home on Leonard Lake in Michigan. He and Sophia, enjoyed evenings sitting on their deck looking out at the lake, watching the wildlife and reminiscing. They counted themselves lucky to have had , as they would say, "such a wonderful life.". Jack touched many lives and will live in our hearts and memories forever. He will be greatly missed. His easy manner and his earnest interest in everyone he met made him a unique person. 

As we say farewell to him let us remember the joy he brought, the love he shared, and the wonderful memories he left us with. If you knew him you knew, "He never met a stranger".