Anthony John Palmer Sr.

October 30, 1944 - October 9, 2026

Anthony will be remembered as a beloved man whose life was defined by service, hard work, and a deep love for his family. He touched the lives of so many, and everyone who knew him loved him.

Anthony proudly served in the United States Army. During his military service, he trained in Germany, and spent time in Libya. At eighteen he was sent to Ethiopia, where he spent nearly two years as an Army helicopter mechanic, keeping the aircraft flying for the 572nd Engineers Platoon mission that surveyed and mapped the country from the air. His service reflected his dedication, skill, and willingness to go wherever duty called.

Following his military service, Anthony built a long and dedicated career in public service. He spent more than 40 years working as a wastewater equipment operator, first for APG and later for the City of Aberdeen. Through decades of hard work and commitment, he made a lasting contribution to the communities he served.

Later in life, Anthony found joy in the simple pleasures that made life special. He loved working on puzzles, taking his time to put each piece in its place. One of his greatest joys, however, was being there to cheer on his grandchildren as they played Little League in Rising Sun. Whether he was watching from the sidelines or celebrating their accomplishments, his love and pride for his grandchildren shone through. Those moments created memories that his family will treasure forever.

Anthony was more than a dedicated soldier, a hardworking employee, and a proud grandfather. He was someone who was loved by everyone who knew him. His presence, his kindness, and the memories he created with family, friends, and those around him will never be forgotten.

Anthony is survived by his wife of 57 years, Roxie Palmer; children: Tony Palmer and Troy Palmer; grandchildren: Christopher, Matthew, Ryan, Gabbriel, Teddy, and Carrybeth; great-grandchildren: Carter, Wyatt, Kingsley, Maverick, and Ayah; and siblings: Frances Hash, Margaret Shepherd, Frank Palmer, and Richard Palmer. In addition to his parents, Anthony is preceded in death by his daughter, Tracy Palmer and brothers, Wayne Palmer and Robert Palmer.

Services will be held privately.

Anthony John Palmer, Sr., age 81, of Rising Sun, MD, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 9, 2026. He was born on October 30, 1944, in Croydon, England to the late John Franklin Palmer and Ethel Florence (Nourse) Palmer. Anthony will be remembered as a beloved man whose life was defined by service, hard work,Continue Reading

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The Lord saw that he was growing tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around him and whispered, come with me. With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away, Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest, GOD touched our hearts to prove He only takes the best. RIP

Tony was , is my uncle. He has always been kind, friendly, happy, and comfortable to be around. Tony made you feel like you were special. I will always remember his great smile and laugh. Tony will be missed by so many people. My thoughts and prayers go out to my aunt Roxie, my cousins Troy and JR, and Tracy’s son. I love you all and will treasure the memories I have of time spent with all of you!!

Tony was a great co-worker and boss for 37 years at APG. He was fun to be around and always had a smile. I will miss Tony and his humor and his enthusiasm for a good time. A group of us from Waterworks have gotten together for lunch dates and tomorrow at lunch we will raise a toast for our old friend, Tony. My thoughts go out to Roxie, the boys and Ryan. Our world has lost one of the good ones and Tony will be greatly missed. RIP my old friend, until we meet again.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Roxie, JR and Troy and their families. May God's strength and love comfort you during this chapter of your lives. We love and pray your faith will carry you thru....hugs

I am so sorry for your families loss.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Pop, You were the steadiest man I’ve ever known. Grandma told me a story not long ago that your mother was actually in labor with you while the rockets were still falling on Croydon. She’d already lived through years of it by then. And I remember being little and being told your mom would get so frightened of thunderstorms that she kept a chair in her bedroom closet and sat in it until they passed, but I don't think I was ever told why. I keep thinking about that now. What you were born into. And how you turned out to be the calmest man in any room you walked into. I didn’t know most of it until this summer, when I started digging through your records to put together your VA claim. You never mentioned any of it. I'd wager you never asked anybody for anything in your whole life. What you gave us instead was steady ground. You and Grandma never made much, but we always lived comfortable, nobody ever went without, and somehow there was always enough left to help when somebody was in trouble. Grandma has that quiet, graceful way of taking hold of things when everything’s coming apart — she can still settle me just by being in the room. And you’d look at the same impossible mess and say, “Well thats alright, man. Whatchya need??"... “Hey big duuude!” Every single time. First thing out of your mouth. I can hear it right now. The road trips are what I’ll keep the longest. Especially the one after my mom died in 2006. I was destroyed — empty, lost, completely out of ideas about how to be a person. You told me I could bring a friend, and the three of us drove to Mammoth Cave. You never once made me feel like anything other than your own. You were the best father figure I could have asked for. And the way you loved Grandma. Fifty-some years of it. That’s what I’ll be chasing the rest of my life. I hope I can be half the man you were — for her, for my wife, for my kids, for all of us. I’m less without you here. But every jewel you passed down to me, and every example you set without ever once calling it one, is going to live in whatever kind of man and husband and father I manage to be. I love you, Pop. Tell mom I love and miss her so, so much.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.