James B. Palmer, age 80, of New Rockford, ND, died Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND.

James Barry Palmer was born April 18, 1936, the son of John and Ethel (Hanson) Palmer at Devils Lake, ND. As a young man, James worked for Melvin Beckstrand on his farm near Warwick, ND. He met Darlene Coenen, and they were later married on August 17, 1958, at Warwick Lutheran Church. In 1959, they moved to Eugene, OR, where they made their home for the next 16 years.

James started Palmer’s Pump Service in 1976, at La Pine, OR, and he operated his business until health issues caused him to retire in 1996. Later, James and Darlene moved to Oak Ridge, OR, where he worked for the U.S. Forest Service, before returning to North Dakota, and settling in New Rockford in 2007. Jim had worked for the New Rockford Golf Course as a grounds keeper until 2014.

James loved crabbing in Oregon, and ice fishing in North Dakota! He was a member of the Bend Masonic Lodge #139, in Bend, OR.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; his son, David Palmer of New Rockford, his daughters, Debbie (Mark) Prell of La Pine, and Doreen Palmer of Springfield, OR; his sister, Violet Abrahamson of Fargo; 6 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, and 4 brothers, Wallace, Eldon, John, and Richard.

HIS SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE IN BEND, OREGON