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Le Roy Palmer of Clearlake Oaks, Calif., passed away on July 4, 2011.
He was born in Chicago, Ill., on March 15, 1912, and as a young man became interested in the then-new medium of radio, eventually getting an amateur radio operator’s license in 1933.
Also interested in music, he joined his high school chorus and in 1931 sang three performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a member of that vocal ensemble.
After graduating from high school he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and went on to work for two electrical manufacturing companies in Chicago as a production manager.
In 1958 he received an MBA degree from the University of Chicago and the following year he and his family moved to Belmont, Calif., where he was employed by a company that specialized in aerospace and defense work.
During the 1960s he was involved in the United States space program and worked with a team that designed and manufactured the antenna used to transmit television pictures from the first manned lunar landing.
After retiring in 1977, he devoted his time to managing his investments, working on home improvement projects, took piano lessons, traveled to several countries and bowled as well as played bridge regularly.
In 1984, after his wife Caroline died, he remarried and took up residence with his bride, Elsie, in Mountain View, Calif. She introduced him to square dancing and pinochle and eventually the couple moved to Windsor, Calif., and then to Clearlake Oaks. There he and Elsie quickly made friends with many others in the Keys and often took part in activities at the Clear Lake Keys Club.
Throughout his life he was an avid reader, enjoyed learning new skills, planning personal projects as well as designing and building things and took pleasure in music, particularly opera.
He had a deep appreciation and respect for learning and during his later years audited several college courses available on DVD.
He is survived by his wife, Elsie Carey Palmer; his two children, Frederic Palmer of Belmont, Calif., and Laurel Palmer Lettieri of Mount Vernon, New York; and his two grandchildren, Rebecca Pelfrey of Beachwood, Ohio, and Christian Palmer Pelfrey of Yonkers, New York.
A memorial will be held at the Clear Lake Keys Club, 12980 Lakeland St. in Clearlake Oaks on Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m.
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Completing his last lap and reaching the checkered flag, Jack Wulff Humphrey passed away peacefully at home in American Canyon on June 12, 2011, among loved ones and in the care of Hospice services after a lengthy battle with multiple illnesses.
Jack is survived by his loving companion, Susie Dorsett LaPointe of Sacramento; his sisters, Nadine Strauss (Bob), of Lucerne, and Sharon Leuzinger of Lucerne; brother, Charwin Ward of Spring Valley; stepfather, Billy Ward of Lakeport; niece, Sharise (Elias) Santana, and children, Cameron, Victor and Cadence; and nephews, Kahlin (Ashley) Leuzinger and children, Takara and Amara, and Michael (Cherie) Leuzinger and Caden.
He is additionally survived by Doris Harville of Upper Lake; Sue Harville of Upper Lake and son Scott Harville (Joan) and children, Leanne and Tut; Kathy Harville Scott of Woodland and her children, Kim Scott, Kris Scott, Kelly Sagara (Jon) and children, Troy and Trent, and Chuck Scott (Becky).
He was preceded in death by his father Ray Humphrey and mother Barbara Wulff Humphrey Ward; his wife, Patti Lynn Harville Humphrey in 2003, and his father-in-law, Tut Harville.
Born in Woodland on March 15, 1947, Jack graduated from Upper Lake High School with the class of 1965 and attended Santa Rosa Junior College. He completed a 36-year career with Del Monte Foods in November 2007, where he served in a number of capacities, retiring as an international transportation analyst.
Jack’s passion was auto racing. He became an ambassador for the Legends of the Pacific racing series over the last 14 years, after racing in other divisions dating to the early 1960s. Known for his quick smile, he was always ready to loan engines, gears, carbs, ignition systems, suspension parts and anything else needed to keep other drivers coming to the track week after week, according to his fellow racers.
He loved racing and he loved the San Francisco 49ers, and he was 49 years old when he became a heart transplant recipient, a 15-year milestone he celebrated this April, so it’s no surprise that Jack’s red LOP race car bore the magical number 49. He was grateful for the opportunity he was afforded to extend his life through a donated heart.
The other loves of Jack’s life were his many canine companions, with the most recent being his bulldogs, Patti and Buster, the latter a rescue dog.
In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations to NorCal Bulldog Rescue, 13520 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, CA 94062-4553 or to Hospice Department, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, 975 Sereno Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport. Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2011 at Upper Lake Cemetery, 780 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake.
For further information, please call Chapel of the Lakes at 707-263-0357 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
