James Emory Palmer

Funeral Services will be held, at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 7, 2015 in Delhomme Funeral Home Chapel of the Flowers in Lafayette, LA for James Palmer, Jr, 58, who passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at his home in Lafayette, LA. Interment will be in Fountain Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Peter Stuntz, brother-in-law and very close friend of Jim Palmer, will present the eulogy. Jim was born in Opelousas, La in 1956. He graduated from Opelousas Belmont Academy in 1974, and obtained an Associate Degree in Industrial Electronics from T. H. Harris. Upon graduation, Jim began his career at PHI as a Certified Avionics Technician. Because of his attention to detail and his natural people skills, Jim accepted an offer in the Human Resources Department at PHI and has worked in HR at Bristow Helicopters and Era Helicopters. He was a member of several organizations, including SHRM, ASHRM, and World at Work. He loved working in the helicopter industry and was known as a problem solver and a man with a great attitude about work and life in general. Anyone who knew Jim, knew of his love of his Acadian heritage. He loved Cajun music, dance and food. Before the end of his life, Jim purchased a French accordion and spent many happy hours learning to play tunes to delight everyone at family gatherings. Jim loved physical fitness and was dedicated to a fitness regime. He enjoyed range shooting, fishing and an occasional hunting trip. Jim loved his family. He was a faithful husband to his wife Cathy; they were married more than 36 years. He was a loving and dedicated father who took an interest in all aspects of his children's lives, always taking the opportunity to engage in their interests and encourage them in their God given talents. Jim was a doting grandfather who spent countless hours playing with his three grandchildren making wonderful memories. One of his favorite traditions with his three grandchildren was to have "a sundae on Sunday." But first and foremost, Jim was a man who loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Before his passing, Jim wrote down the following words in his own hand as his personal message to family and friends. He wrote, "Don't mourn for me for I'm finally home. If you know Jesus as your Savior, then I will see you soon!" Jim will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and his prior work affiliates. He is survived by his beloved wife, Cathy St. Romain Palmer; his daughter, Cassie Palmer of Champaign, IL; his son, James Palmer, III, his son's wife Marie Palmer; his 3 grandchildren, Gabby, Luke and Louisa Palmer of Lafayette, LA; his sisters, Linda Palmer of Opelousas, and Pat Palmer Stuntz and her husband Peter of Porter, TX; his brother, Curtis Palmer and his wife Anna Palmer of Opelousas and many loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Palmer, Sr. and Callie Courvelle Palmer. Pallbearers will be Blake Landry, Joe St. Romain, Phillip St. Romain, R. J. Wallace, Mitch Colligan, Daniel Brown, Mike Callegari, Mike Brouillette and Raymond Mayeux. The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Friday, February 6, 2015 in Delhomme Funeral Home Chapel of the Flowers at 1011 Bertrand Drive from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Visiting hours will continue the following day on Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 8:00 AM until the time of service at 10:00 AM. Personal condolences may be sent to the Palmer family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506 is in charge of funeral arrangements.

James Emory Palmer

December 9, 1956 - February 3, 2015