Thomas Jeffrey Palmer “TJ” of Pinedale, Wyo., and Honey Grove, Texas, died on Jan. 20, 2021, of complications of COVID-19 in the hospital in Plano, Texas. He is survived by his daughter, Gloria Palmer (Tomm Steiger) and one grandson, Gryphon Steiger. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Sandy (Hull) Palmer.
As a Marine stationed at El Toro Marine Base in Orange County, Calif., TJ did three tours of duty in Vietnam in the 1960s. He then joined the Air Force and was stationed in Huntington, Calif., where he trained as an airplane mechanic. He traveled the world in that capacity. After 18 years, he retired and worked as a youth monitor in the California prison system.
An avid outdoors person, he then landed his favorite job of working for the Forest Service in his native Texas. His early life experiences of working on a Wyoming ranch in Cokeville equipped him well to manage wildlife and campgrounds.
TJ’s summers were spent with his grandparents, Julius and Beatrice Jacobsen, early settlers in Cokeville. His love of Wyoming brought him back to Wyoming when his wife died. He chose to live in Pinedale where he had opportunities to fish and reconnect with old friends.
TJ was always quick to joke and laugh and go to auctions where he added to his gun collection and his extensive taxidermy. He will be missed by his family and the many friends who loved him.
