Martin Eric Palmer

Martin Eric Palmer, 89, started his final journey on 10 March, 2016.  A Sacramento native, born to Clarence and Rena Palmer, he was a great fun-loving and giving person.  Proceeded by his parents and loving wife Bernice, sister Louise and brothers Paul, Clarence Jr. and William. 

Martin leaves his last sibling, Ruth Mayfield, his son Terry with wife Caryne, granddaughters Lauren Zahedani and Deseret Palmer Olbrei, and great-grandsons Aiden, Kian and Ryan. Martin started as an elevator operator downtown, later employed at Matthias Albrecht’s Wood and Fuel.  The boss became his father-in-law. 

Lying about his age to enter the Navy for WWII, the new sailor served on the USS Pine Island (Seaplane Tender) seeing combat at Okinawa and Iwo Jima.  A skilled Aircraft Sheet Metal-smith, he was in the Naval Reserves and was called to Active Duty for the Korean War serving as an Aircraft Materials Specialist/Gunner on a 4-engined Patrol Bomber (PB4Y-2).  Back again, Marty completed a 26-year career at McClellan AFB. He retired from McClellan AFB as a Management Analyst GS-13. 

So with free time, Martin started several other careers:  Sears lawn & garden, Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Broker, and ultimately ran his own real estate company of five.  Never forgetting his primary skill set, he travelled to Texas at age 82 to teach other prior service members a better rivet-popping technique to restore the only PB4Y-2 to flyable status in the world, hangared at the Galveston Air Museum. Martin’s many interests included: antique cars, hunting, flying, air shows and being with people. Donations may be made to any disabled veteran’s charity. Love from your family and friends. 

We will cherish your memory until we meet again…