Doris Ellen & Paul DeVaughn Palmer

Doris Ellen Palmer, of Caldwell, ID, formerly of Napa, CA, was born in Greeley, Nebraska on April 1, 1927, and died in Boise, Idaho on September 18, 2017. Pre-deceased by: spouse Paul; parents Clifford Vanosdall and Leonia Dowers Fisher; brother Clifford (Joe); sister Bernice Schmidt Perez; and, son DeVaughn (Vaughn). Doris is survived by: son Gregory and his family; daughter DeAnna; grandsons Christopher, Nathan, and Derek and their families; and, granddaughter Angela and her family. She is also survived and loved by many extended family members too numerous to list individually, and countless friends. As a little girl, Doris was raised in Greeley, NE, the oldest of three children. She often mentioned that they had running water in the house which was rare at that time. In the 1930s, her family was losing the farm (a section of land, 640 acres) because they owed the bank six dollars, which they could not pay. As a result of both the Dust Bowl and the health of her father, the family moved to Caldwell when she was about 12 years old. They came with only the belongings they could fit in the car. Soon after their arrival, her father died. It had been her father’s wishes that his family move to Idaho to be near other family members. As the oldest child of three, and like many young people of this time period did, Doris left school after the 10th grade and began working outside the home to bring much needed money into the family coffers. Doris spent many years as a clerk turned bookkeeper at Albertson’s Stores in Idaho and Safeway Stores in California. She was a long-time Retail Clerks Union employee and retired from the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union in the mid-1970s. Paul and Doris met in Caldwell, ID, and married there in 1951. Doris will long be remembered for her interest and work in the collection of her ancestors’ records, vital statistics, writings and photographs. She loved family reunions and sharing family stories and photos. Doris was a supreme example of kindness, with graciousness, personal strength, compassion, and conviction. She embodied inner strength, a determination to overcome obstacles, and instilled in her family the same values. Paul DeVaughn Palmer also known as “Dig,” of Caldwell, ID, formerly of Napa, CA, was born in Bynam, Texas on March 25, 1925, and died in Caldwell, Idaho on April 22, 2006. Pre-deceased by: parents Claude and Ruth Wood Palmer; brother Harold; and, sisters Claudia Hopson and Dorothy Wharton and their spouses. Paul graduated high school 1943 in Texas. He was valedictorian of his small graduating class. Immediately upon graduating Paul enlisted in the military on June 7, 1943. He achieved rank of Staff Sergeant, Aerial Gunner with the Liberator crew of the famed Jolly Roger heavy bomber outfit, WWII. Awarded the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. Date of separation October 17, 1945. After returning from WWII, Paul went to work as a lineman then repairman for Pacific Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company, California (owned by AT&T). He loved his routes which were out in the country in Napa and Sonoma counties. Paul retired in the mid-1970s after 34 years of service. Upon his retirement, the family moved back to Caldwell. We don’t know the year or circumstance in which Paul was nick-named “Dig”, but fairly recently we learned this nick-name was given to him for the “DIG”nified demeanor he exhibited. Paul loved to frequent coffee shops, beginning with the bowling alley and Buttercream Bakery in Napa. In the late 1970s, after he retired and the family moved back to Caldwell, Paul could be seen numerous times each and every day in one of the local restaurants including Pollard’s, Lakey’s, Mr. V’s and Sunrise restaurants. He loved to read the newspaper and visit his friends during these excursions. After his grandsons were born, they too were included in these daily visits to the local coffee shops. After Paul began his family, he found much joy in recording all the events of his family. His children remember the old (felt-like a bazillion!) watt bulbs on a light bar he hand-held, blinding everyone but assuring there was enough light to preserve the photos for life. As technology continued to change, Paul would be seen at family events with camcorder in hand or adjusting the tripod (with camcorder) that was always nearby. Paul kept a very detailed record of each event contained on every 35 mm film roll and then on mini- and micro- cassette tapes. Paul continued with this project by having the films and tapes copied to the newest technology - VHS tapes. The family is now in the process of duplicating all these VHS tapes (30+ total) to CDs to preserve the memories for future generations. Doris & Dig shared the love of dancing together, drives to Bodega Bay (CA coast), family gatherings large and small, and they were collectors of "things". Dad loved old telephones and mom loved everything from old furniture, books, buttons, kitchen gadgets, children's toys and dolls, irons, framed pictures and photographs. A celebration of life for Doris will be held at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, 624 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID, on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 11 AM. We thank the staff at St. Luke’s ER, ICU, and the 9th floor Neurology units, as well as the palliative care team and chaplains, for the exceptional care provided to Doris during her final days. Thanks also to the staff at Flahiff’s and Pastor Don Brown for their kindness and helpfulness during this time. Service Information