Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

James S. Palkie

About

Buena High School

FUNERAL HOME

Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory

2052 Howard Road

Camarillo, California

James Palkie Obituary

James S. Palkie

Ventura, CA

Jim Palkie passed away quietly on July 1, 2015 in the arms of his adoring wife after a courageous, undaunted battle with cancer.

Jim was born Oct. 11, 1951, and spent his childhood in Cloquet, MN. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth where he met the love of his life, Kate. They married in 1972.

Jim began his career as a Naval Aviator in 1973. The couple had a spectacular 20 year journey with the Navy, traveling the world with their daughters Mia and Megan. Commander Palkie retired from the Navy in 1993, and settled with his family in Ventura California.

Although Jim loved flying, it was his second career that proved most challenging and brought him most joy. He earned his teaching credential and taught elementary school at Saticoy Elementary for 19 years. During that time he and Kate returned to school and together attained their masters in Education with Reading Specialist Credentials. He had a genuine hope and confidence in every child he taught.

Jim loved his family, community and country. He was the biggest fan of his daughters' sporting careers at Buena High School and was known to show up in his flight suit just in time for the games. Jim always found the good in people and most of all, Jim loved to laugh.

Jim is survived by his wife Kate, daughters Mia and spouse Sara Scott, Megan and spouse Andy Armstrong, Andy's children, Gwen and Carter, mother Phyllis Palkie, and brothers Tom Palkie and John Palkie.

The celebration of Jim's life will be held on Wednesday July 8th at 1:00pm at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, CA. We hope you will share a happy memory.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ventura County Star on Jul. 7, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for James Palkie

13 Entries

Rich McLaughlin

July 3, 2022

Jim and I met when he, Fred Spence, and I all joined VXE-6 withing a few weeks of each other, and shortly before the squadron deployed for its annual mission in Antarctica in 1987. As "newbies" in the squadron, but all experienced pilots, we quickly became known as "Larry, Daryl, and the other brother Daryl" after a popular TV show at the time. New in the squadron we didn´t initially have a lot of responsibility other than getting qualified in the LC-130, so we used our free time to do what most Navy pilots are fond of doing, having fun and getting in trouble! Whether exploring the town of Christ Church and neighboring locals prior to heading to the Ice, or turning things upside down at McMurdo Station, Larry, Daryl and Daryl were usually at the center of everything that got the attention of senior commanders. We turned winter survival into a party, building a snow condo instead of a survival igloo and having our helo bubbas fly in a supply of Kiwi beer, much to the consternation of our survival instructors! No one had a greater nor more unique sense of humor than Jim, always ready to contribute something hillarious and problem. Over our three years together we became fast friends. I will always have the fondness of memories for my brother Jim. I so hope that Kate and the girls are doing well in life and know that so many of us will never forget Jim.

Valerie Thompson

July 23, 2015

Jim Palkie was not only my first grade teacher, but he was the most caring, funny and bright teacher that I have ever come across . I will miss Jim and he will always be remembered , by me, Mr. Palkie. I will miss everything about him.

Linda Parker

July 9, 2015

I put this on my Facebook and I feel it sums up how I feel about Mr Palkie pretty well:

Did you ever have that one teacher? That teacher that for whatever reason resonates more than all the rest? I've had a couple of those, but Jim Palkie was the first.
I had him in 5th grade 19 years ago at Saticoy School. It was my last year & his first. I actually only had him for one week before he was switched to teach 3rd grade...but that's all it took for me to see he was a unique teacher & he loved his students dearly. It was enough that I asked him if I could help in his 3rd grade classroom & most of my 5th grade year, I got to do odds & ends, read books to kids aloud (in fact--that's where I really came to love reading out loud), collect papers & whatever else was needed. He encouraged me to be more than what I was doing now & to strive. Mr Palkie had an infectious smile and laugh--I don't think it was possible for me to every be sad at all around him. That was also the year I found that I enjoyed working with kids & I left knowing I wanted to be a teacher in some fashion.
After I graduated & moved on, I made sure to come visit every 3-4 years, to say hi, but primarily to stop & see Mr Palkie & update him on life. He was always excited to see me & hear what I was doing currently. I left with him always encouraging me and telling me he always knew I was going to do special things in the world and make a difference. It was always a highlight to see him and his new little students. And he was always eager to share the newest things he was doing with the kids.
When I went to college & was working on earning my Early Childhood Degree, I had to do some student teaching. It didn't work out officially, but I knew without a doubt I wanted to learn from Mr Palkie. So I went back & asked him if I could unofficially student teach under him, to which he gave me a resounding, "I would love that!" So that school year, I went every week to Mr Palkie's classroom & he had me lead one of his reading groups. At times, he would have me help administer tests, lead, correct papers, etc. I helped him get the class ready for the class talent show program where he was well known for having his class do "What a Wonderful World" in sign language. That year I got to hear lots of stories from when he had been a Navy Pilot. It was one of my favorite times of college.
The last time I saw him was shortly into my own teaching career--in fact, I was due for a visit now & probably would have gone & visited him this fall. I'm glad that he got to see me become a teacher--I went back & was thrilled to get to tell him that I had become a teacher & was now teaching preschool. He was pretty stoked.
I was pretty heart broken to hear that Mr Palkie had passed away after a battle with cancer. He will be most dearly missed but definitely not forgotten. Every time I work with kids, read Charlotte's Web, teach someone how to read, hear What a Wonderful World, see a navy plane, hear a classroom train whistle and much more, it is without a doubt that I will think of my dear elementary teacher, Mr Palkie who taught me what it looks like to be a teacher who loves their kids & is passionate in watching them grow.

To the Palkie Family--I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs Palkie, I especially think of you--Mr Palkie spoke of you often & fondly. He was a wonderful man.

Kathy Cooper

July 9, 2015

Dear Palkie Family, My grandson Jack was one of the lucky students to have Mr. Palkie for a teacher. He instilled in him the love of reading. Jack was mostexcited when he came to his 5th grade graduation and they all sang and signed to The world is a Rainbow. It was a wonderful tribute to Mr. Palkie.
May wonderful memories be with you forever. He will be dearly missed.

Val Albitre

July 8, 2015

Megan, Mama Palkie, and Mia: I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man and so, so loved. It is apparent that he touched so many lives. You all were so blessed to have each other. Keeping you in prayer. Love you.

Judy Roll

July 7, 2015

Jim will missed by all. He was always so nice to everyone. His family was everything to him! I pray for peace for all who has been lucky enough to have known him.

Mary Grisafe

July 7, 2015

So sorry for your loss. Jim always went out of his way to make people feel warm and welcome. His smile and laughter were a constant. Although he made his work look easy, I know that he put a lot of effort and care into everything he did.

Rich McLaughlin

July 7, 2015

Jim and I flew and lived together for three years in Antarctica, seems like such a short time ago. We may lose contact over the years but we never lose the memories. All of us Ice Pirates will fondly remember Jim (or as we called him "the other brother Daryl") Our collective heart goes out to the Kate, the girls, and the family.

The Palkie Brothers at the River.

Anna Palkie

July 7, 2015

Stephani Schroeder

July 7, 2015

So very sorry for your loss. Sending warm hugs and love for everyone during this very sad and difficult time. May the loving memories help bring you all peace.

Rhonda Buckner

July 7, 2015

Jim's passion was his family. I was assigned to his crew in Antarctica and he always kept the crew informed on what his daughters were doing.....he made always made us feel like we were part of his family too. I learned so much from him about flying the C-130 in Antarctica.....I will always remember his kind and gentle nature and his great and contagious laughter. May his family hold close their memories and always know that you were deeply loved by him. You were his world.

Alyssia Spoerlein

July 7, 2015

Mr. Palkie words cannot describe the amount of joy you brought to so many children. You taught us all to love, respect and most of all have fun. May you rest in peace. Ventura has lost one of the greatest teachers I have ever known.

Char Stewart

July 7, 2015

My heart goes out to Kate and the "girls". I am thinking of you all the time and send love, peace and strength in this very difficult time. We will all miss Jim very much. He was such sweet man.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results