Harold Palmer Sr

Harold A. Palmer Sr was born August 25, 1930 to James and Lena Palmer in Cleveland Ohio. He is the middle child of six siblings. At the age of 16 Harold met his future bride Roseanna Rice who was 15 years old at the time. And after a lengthy courtship Harold and Roseanna were married on April 30, 1949. In 1954 Harold moved his family to Ashtabula, Ohio. For 25 years Harold Sr. worked as a General Foreman for Great Lakes Construction Company. As he and the family traveled, he would often comment about all the many highways and bridges he helped to build all over Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York State. In 1968 he and his loving wife Roseanna bought their first Nursing Home. And for 30 plus years they owned and operated subsequent nursing homes around Cleveland. Harold Sr. was a man that wore many hats in sports. He was a avid sportsman and athlete. In 1949 he became the Golden Gloves Light Heavy Weight Champion. He was know as “Kid Palmer”. He obtained a black belt in Judo in the early 1960’s. He played baseball as a young man and played on several adult leagues in Cleveland and Ashtabula, Ohio. Harold Sr. loved the Lord and the Bible. He loved to read it and more importantly he enjoyed sharing it. For over 40 years he was the Head Elder of the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ashtabula, Ohio. Harold Sr. was especially fond of his church, because it was started by his grandfather, Charles W. Drake Sr. Above all the business and sports that he enjoyed. He truly loved being a dad and a husband. He would often say, If I had to do it all over again I would without hesitation. As his kids left home to launch their careers and further to further their education, it was often said that some of the most important and sage advice daddy gave was over the phone. All the children knew daddy could answer their questions. And in addition to giving advice he offered prayer. Not just your average prayer but prayers that undoubtedly placed you directly in front of Jesus Himself. Anyone who knew Harold Sr. knew he loved to laugh and tell jokes and he always had a story to tell. He had a myriad of devoted friends and celebrities who cherished him. Harold Sr. loved his wife and his children and all the friend’s of his children. Eleven years ago he and Roseanna moved from Ashtabula to Columbus Ohio to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Over the past weeks prior to his passing, Harold Sr. spent all of his remaining time and energy preparing his family for the aftermath (his passing) and more importantly the return of Jesus Christ. Harold Sr. fell asleep in Christ at 7PM on October 31, 2013. Preceded in death are his Father and Mother and his three brothers, James M Palmer Jr., Carl Palmer, William Palmer and eldest sister Delphine Boss. He is survived by his baby sister Shirley Palmer-McDaniel and his loving wife Roseanna of 64 years; a total of eight children, two sons: Harold Palmer Jr. (Brenda) and Harvey Palmer (Deidra), six daughters: Carol A. Palmer-Parron (Bernard), Sheryl Palmer- James, Faye Palmer-Reid (Charles), Beverly Palmer-Langhorn (Carlyle), Brenda Stitch-Palmer (Tony) and Kimberly Palmer-Washington. He also leaves behind the following grandchildren; Tiffany A. Palmer, Harold A. Palmer III, Mark C. Palmer, Mathew C. Palmer, Jennifer Robinson, Mariama Burton, Ronald Saunders II, Catrina Dotson, Dione Dotson, Roseanna James, Haven James, Harvey Goff, Eric Mills, Wesley Lee Jones Jr. David V. Hill III Leslie Maxine Hill, Carlton M. Palmer Jr., Christian Palmer Golden, Brittany A. Stitch, Crystal D. Stitch, Lois Jessica C. Chappell, Ashley N. Palmer, Sarah A. Palmer and 29 great grand children. One of his favorite Bible text was Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good...” Harold Sr. awaits the return of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to be reunited with his loving wife, children and every last one of his family members.