PALMER, Leroy Arthur (Roy)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 11/25/2003 Leroy Arthur "Roy" Palmer, 92, died in his home Nov. 19, 2003. He was born Aug. 3, 1911 in St. Johns to Arthur and Evaline Gibbons Palmer. He lived most of his life in Taylor. He had been for many years engaged in agriculture including both a dairy business, a farm machinery business and ranching. He served for 16 1/2 years on the Snowflake Union High School School Board. He was a founding member of the Taylor Water System committee and association, he served with the Farm Bureau and local Irrigation District. He served in the Arizona State Senate 1971-72, he was a member of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors from 1972-1976. He was on the Taylor Town Council for 10 years, eight of them he served as mayor. He served in many state, regional and local commissions, committees and organizations as a member and frequently as an officer. He contributed generously in time and resources to the betterment of his community. He was active all of his life in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 13 1/2 years in the Snowflake Stake Presidency, as a bishop of the Winslow Ward and later of the Taylor 2nd Ward; and over a time fulfilled assignments in virtually all of the church organizations as leader, councilor and teacher. In fact he devoted his life to agriculture, public service, church service and his family. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Peck Palmer of Taylor; three sons, Arvin (Jean Smith) of Taylor, Steve (Kathi Halliday) of West Valley City, Utah, and Fred (Rebecca Harvey) of Scottsdale; and two daughters, Sybil (Steve Corry) Cedar City, Utah, and Phyllis (Michael Peterson) of Linden, Utah; 26 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gus of Flagstaff and Van of Holbrook; and two sisters, Ila Butler of Mesa and Ima Rose of Salt Lake City, Utah. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Connie Cook and his wife of 50 years, Lucille Thomas Palmer. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24 at The Taylor Stake Center, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a visitation from 6-8 p.m. Sunday Nov. 23 at Owens Mortuary in Snowflake and one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Roy Palmer to the Taylor Historical Museum, Town of Taylor, P.O. Box 205, Taylor, AZ 85939. Owens Mortuary of Snowflake handled arrangements.