Christopher Lee Palmer
Christopher Lee Palmer passed away November 17th, 2017, in Tempe, AZ.
“Chris” was a beloved father, son, brother & invaluable friend, who lost his life to a devastating fall.
He was born December 14, 1962, in Albuquerque, where he was a resident until 1993. He was preceded in death by his mother Juanita Dawn (nee Brewer) Palmer.
He is survived by: his son, Lee K. Palmer at the University of Nebraska; by his father Merrill “Pete” and wife Anita Palmer of Albuquerque; his sisters Deborah M. Bryan, Albuquerque, Lucinda and husband Garvin Larson of Tucson, AZ; step brothers James O. Phillips II and family of Cave Creek, AZ., and Stephan D. Phillips and family of Vail, AZ; his former wife and dear friend Nancy M. (nee Tondl) Palmer of Tempe, AZ; cousins: Jennifer Bryan of Albuquerque, NM, and her daughter, Joel G. LuceroBryan of Abu Dhabi, UAE, his wife, Cristy, and their three children.
Chris graduated from Sandia High School, attended NM Institute of Mining and Tech, where he received a degree in Chemistry. He was an outstanding chemist and was employed in the semi-conductor field, his area of expertise was diffusion/ oxidation processing. His employers included: Sandia National Laboratories; Philips; Motorola; as well as his own corporation in association John Riburn; finally Medtronic.
He was talented at almost everything he did: he had a brilliant and outrageous sense of humor; his early years were spent as an avid & highly competitive Kart racer; he was an amazing musician, able to teach & play many instruments; his hobby was restoring old VWs & he was a dedicated historian of the American Civil War and World War II. He never saw a cat that he didn’t love.
The family wishes to thank Tempe Police, Fire & Rescue Dept. of Tempe for their life saving efforts, St Luke’s Hospital, Honor Health Scottsdale-Osborn Medical Center doctors & staff as well as Friendship Village, Tempe AZ.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held at a later time. Those wishing to honor Chris may make donations in his name to any nokill cat shelter in their area or ‘Friends For Life,’ 143 W. Vaughn Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85233, 1 (480) 497-8296