DONALD V. PALMER

1937 - 2015

  
DONALD VICTOR PALMER  
Of Gainesville, Virginia passed away suddenly on September 19, 2015. He was the cherished husband for 55 years of Joanne Palmer; loving father of Jean Watling, Joan Lee, Douglas Palmer, Diane Brown, and Julie Kipers; doting grandfather of Michael, Daniel, Courtney, James, Chelsea, Jessica, Brittany, Kyle, Rebecca, Catherine, Eric, Nathaniel, Andrew, and Troy; and devoted brother of Eileen Shorthill, Nancy Warren, Ann Nussbaum, and Rita Palmer. He was born in Canton, Ohio on November 20, 1937. He graduated from John Carroll University in 1959 and upon graduation was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Transportation Corps. He retired as a Colonel in the US Army Reserves with 30 years of distinguished service. Don worked at the RAND Corporation as a Senior Representative in Defense Research for 30+ years. In this role, he interacted with senior DoD staff and management personnel on various topics including national security strategy development, force employment analyses, technology application and resource management. Don was an active member in the Park West Lion's Club, the Heritage Hunt HOA, and served as an usher at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was an avid golfer and sports fan. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed but forever remembered in our hearts. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 at Pierce Funeral Home located at 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110.A mass of remembrance will be offered at Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 8213 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville, VA 20155 on Friday, September 25 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church or the Park West Lion's Club at 8620 Sunnygate Drive, Manassas, VA 20109.