Palmer Lewis Foley

A Funeral Service for Palmer Lewis Foley of Mountain Home, Arkansas, will be held at 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Robert Van House, Reverend Randy Ludwig, and Reverend Rodney Steele officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 22, 2013 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel.

Palmer passed away October 18, 2013, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 80. He was born February 3, 1933, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Palmer and Mary Hunt Foley. Palmer was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was awarded a local preacher's license by the Methodist Church. Palmer married Ruth Ann Howerton on March 12, 1954, in Howe, Texas and moved to Mountain Home in 1966, from Jacksonville, Arkansas. Palmer worked as a manager for Tank Rea Insurance Agency for over 40 years. He enjoyed music, swimming, cycling, woodworking and fishing.

Palmer was well known for his beautiful singing ability and musical talent. He attended Oklahoma City University, majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Vocal Music through an Elks Scholarship. Palmer was also one of the founding members of the Salvation Army's Advisory Board. In 2012, he was awarded an Arkansas State Senate Citation for his active support and generous volunteerism in every aspect of the organization throughout his lifetime.

Palmer was very active member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a widely known Christian Layman, noted especially for his music ministry. In presenting the gospel through music, he had conducted, directed and sang for revivals, laymen's retreats and conferences, V.A. Hospital chapel services, nursing homes and in many churches of all denominations in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. He was the lead singer for the Ozark Quartet of Mountain Home for over 10 years and recorded 5 gospel albums.

Palmer is survived by his daughter, Tina (Bruce) Benton of Mountain Home, AR; son, Thomas (Susie) Foley of Newalla OK; six grandchildren, Carie, Michael, Dustin, Cole, Garrett and Tiffany; five great-grandchildren, Trey, William, Kiale, Timmy and Kasen; and special friend Laveda Kelly of Oklahoma City, OK.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gayle Bowers; wife of 55 years, Ruth Ann Foley; and son, Tim Foley.

Burial will be in the Kirby's Tucker Memorial Cemetery, Mountain Home, Arkansas, with Dr. Daniel Chock, Bruce Benton, Bill Burleson, Bill Mackey, Tom Foley, Michael Benton, Hardy Banks and Danny Ponder as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Danuser, Scott Burleson, Elton Kirby, Greg Gilman, Jim Tritt, Cole Foley, Garrett Foley, Dustin Foley, Trey Horton, William Horton, and Kasen Benton. Military Honors will be provided by the Ozark V.F.W. Post #3246 honor guard.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Hospice of the Ozarks or the First United Methodist Church Prayer Shawl Ministries.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.