Ronald Wayne Palmer

Retired US Navy Master Chief Ronald W. Palmer passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on July 6, 2024 at Woodland Village Nursing Center in Diamondhead, MS. 

He was preceded in death by his father Orie Palmer; mother, Mary Cambern; step-father Don Cameron; two siblings, Robert Palmer and Dorothy Ann Palmer; and step grandchild, Tyler Bordelon. 

He is survived by his children, Wayne Palmer of Hammond, LA; daughters, Darlene Sidwell (Gary) of Diamondhead, MS and Linda Smathers (Martin) of Canton NC. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren. 

Mr. Palmer was born April 23,1935 in Tulsa Oklahoma. He moved to Seattle Washington and joined the Navy in 1954. Ronald was schooled in Meteorology and entered the Korean Conflict as a one-man billet weather forecaster. Serving in the Navy for 30 plus years he achieved the highest rank of Master Chief. He made two trips to the Antarctic Circle including one of the first to winter over. He was leading Chief at San Diego, Sangley pt., and Suitland, MD. He served as Leading Chief on tours for the Vietnam Campaign. 

He served as the Master Chief of Weather Service US Navy Headquarters in the Pentagon and was Chief of the team to move Naval Oceanography Center to Stennis Space Center in Mississippi 1979. While at the Pentagon, he traveled the world inspecting weather stations. He helped design the Time Lapse Loop we see on the weather forecasting today. 

Master Chief Palmer received many accommodations including Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Naval Unit Citation, eight Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Medal, Antarctica Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and others. 

After retirement, he loved to spend summers with his grandchildren at the home he built in Pass Christian. It was set up as a perfect vacation spot for all his family and friends to enjoy. After he was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the loss of his home he so loved, he moved to Diamondhead, MS. He loved to tinker in his shop but always found time to have a few beers with his friends. The last nine years of his life he fought a courageous battle of Alzheimer’s. 

A special thanks to all those that cared for him all those years especially the staff at Woodland Village Nursing Center. 

Rest in peace Master Chief Ron Palmer. We have your watch! 

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Pass Christian, MS, is serving the family. Please visit www.riemannfamily.com where memories and photos may be shared.