Gary Lester Palmer

Gary Palmer, 83, of Kingsport, went to be with Jesus Sunday morning (March 30, 2025) at HVMC Hospice in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Gary worked at Eastman Chemical Company for nearly 50 years, retiring January 1, 2011. He was a member of Wheeler United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years. Gary also taught various allied technical trade skills at Northeast State Community College for over 25 years. He graduated from Sullivan West High School in 1959 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University in 1975.

Gary was a leader of Boy Scout Troop 18 at Wheeler UMC for many years as well as a senior leader within the Boy Scouts’ Wood Badge Program. He was the proud father of two Eagle Scouts.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Lester and Lois Palmer; wife, Donna Moore Palmer; sister, Sandra (Floyd) Wagner; brothers, Bob (Janet) Palmer and John Palmer; brothers-in-law, Kim Dickson and Arthur “Buddy” Moore (Jean); and sisters-in-law Patsy Arnold, Marie Koone and Ailene Perry (Dan).

Surviving are his wife of 16 years, Barbara Jackson Burrell; two sons, Jason Palmer of Euless, Texas and Benjamin Palmer and wife Gabriella of Eldersburg, Maryland; two grandsons, David and Andrew Palmer; one granddaughter, Liliana Palmer; a sister, Celeste Dickson of Kingsport; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Palmer of Kingsport and Melva Moore of Kingsport; Barbara’s children; Leslie Smith (David) and Aaron Burrell (Rachel); Barbara’s grandchildren, Lucy Smith, River Smith, Sawyer Smith, Devon Burrell and Taylor Sutherland; several nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and great-nephews, and several great-great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Wheeler United Methodist Church, Blountville, Tennessee. The funeral service will begin at noon at the church, with Rev. Chris Brown and Rev. Clayton Farmer officiating. The committal service will follow at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Blountville, Tennessee.

Nephews and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wheeler United Methodist Church, 211 North Sanders St., Blountville, Tennessee 37617 or to Boy Scouts of America Sequoyah Council, 129 Boone Ridge Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee 37615.

Hamlett-Dobson is honored to serve the family of Gary Lester Palmer.