Philip L. Palmer, age 90, passed away on September 10, 2024, in Slidell, Louisiana.

Born to the late Myron Boyd Palmer and Dorothea Amelia Jackson on February 17, 1934, in Topeka, Kansas.

Philip attended school along with his older sister, Betty, in Topeka and graduated from Topeka High School in 1951. He worked as an intake attendant at the State Mental Hospital when he was a senior. It was an eye-opening experience for him as a young man. After graduation, he began a year of fine art study at Kansas State University. Realizing he probably couldn't make a living in fine arts; he decided on a career in technical illustration with Boeing. In 1964 he was transferred to the Air and Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1970, he transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana and worked for Martin Marietta at the Michoud Complex. In 1976 he began commuting from Slidell to New Orleans. He loved the small-town life in Slidell. He worked on many space programs including Apollo Eleven and SkyLab.  In 1999 he retired.  After Hurricane Katrina, he and his wife, Cathy Luckett Palmer, moved to Scottsboro, Alabama. Then in 2015, after Cathy's passing, he moved back to Slidell to be close to family. He was married to Cathy for 43 years. Their anniversary was April Fool's Day, April 1, 1972.

Philip, known as "Phil" to his friends, was a quick- witted and kind man. Phil had a love for math. He took calculus just for fun at Delgado Community College. He had many hobbies: woodworking, reading history and detective novels, photography and going to car shows with his prized 1983 "EL C." baby blue El Camino. He made custom wooden street signs for Coin Du Lestin subdivision. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina claimed them for the bayou. Phil said his goal for each day was to make at least one person smile. He achieved that goal. Phil will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by four children, Donald Palmer (Alice), Dianne McLain, Melody Gelpi (Pat), and Russell Palmer (special friend - Jeannine Pichon); his grandchildren, David McLain (Jill), Laura Mayfield (Zeal), Aimee Gelpi, Austin Dartez, Lukela Palmer and Maci Palmer. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Marshall and Nolan McLain, and Ella Denham and special grand dog Rex.

A very special thanks to all the staff at Summerfield, Passages Hospice and Integra Medical. You are all angels on earth!

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Visitation at HONAKER FUNERAL HOME,

1751 GAUSE Blvd. WEST (IN FOREST LAWN CEMETERY), Slidell, LA
on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M.

A private Interment will follow in FOREST LAWN CEMETERY.

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.